Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is trying to acquire draft picks at the trade deadline. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was aggressive in making trades during his time in Tampa Bay.

He also had much more to work with there than he does in Detroit. The Red Wings’ few tradeable assets are mostly prominent, young roster players and top prospects in the system that they have no desire to move because they’re integral to the rebuild.

But Yzerman will continue working the phones this week hoping to move assets for futures prior to the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Yzerman undoubtedly would be open to moving many players on the roster and in the system. The short list of players he probably wouldn't discuss in trade talks includes Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Zadina and Filip Hronek as well as top prospects Moritz Seider, Michael Rasmussen and Joe Veleno.

The Red Wings at least would like to add a couple of draft picks. Here is a look at some players who might be moved and why some can’t be dealt:

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Andreas Athanasiou's trade value might be too low right now. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Andreas Athanasiou

Contract: Final season; $3 million cap hit (pending restricted free agent)

The fast forward who scored 30 goals in 2019-20 might be the Red Wings' most tradeable commodity. It's just a question of "when" than "if" because he doesn't fit into Yzerman's future plans, some in the organization have said privately. But his trade value is low (eight goals, 22 points and a league-worst minus-45 in 43 games) in relation to his ability and potential. Will Yzerman opt to hang on to him in hopes his production increases over the final seven weeks and his trade value rises in the off-season? You can't just give away this kind of potential. Edmonton is seeking help up front and former Detroit GM Ken Holland might be interested.

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Jonathan Bernier has had a strong two-month stretch, increasing trade value. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Jonathan Bernier

Contract: Signed through 2020-21; $3 million cap hit.

Bernier is 7-7-0, with a 2.19 goals-against average and .931 save percentage since Dec. 12. That is remarkable playing behind this team. He could be a solid backup for a playoff contender or insurance in case of injury to their No. 1. The problem is, if the Red Wings move Bernier, they'll need to acquire two NHL goalies in the off-season. It's clear they're not re-signing Howard and Calvin Pickard hasn't proven to be an NHL-caliber backup. Plus, no goalie in their pipeline is close to being NHL-ready. A desperate team would need to overpay (second-round pick) to land Bernier. That's not likely to happen.

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Dennis Cholowski's defensive issues have raised questions about his future in the organization. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Dennis Cholowski

Contract: Signed through 2020-21 on entry level contract.

Praised for his poise with the puck and offensive ability, particularly as a power-play point man, he has struggled defensively, resulting in multiple demotions to Grand Rapids. This organization lacks blue-line depth, particularly defensemen with offensive ability, so it seems counter-productive to give up on a 21-year-old drafted 20th overall in 2016. If Cholowski is moved, chances are it would be as part of a larger deal in which the Red Wings received a young defenseman in return, not a one-for-one move.

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Trevor Daley's health might prevent him from being moved. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Trevor Daley

Contract: Final season; $3.17 million cap hit.

A veteran of more than 1,000 games and two-time Stanley Cup winner, Daley ordinarily would draw interest as an experienced, puck-moving depth defenseman. But his health (he’s been injured multiple times this season) and poor season will make him difficult to move.

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Luke Glendening could draw interest from playoff-contending teams. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)

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Luke Glendening

Contract: Signed through 2020-21; $1.8 million cap hit.

Glendening is the kind of hard-working forward coaches appreciate and his modest contract could make him appealing to a number of teams as a third- or fourth-line player who can play against top lines, kill penalties, win faceoffs, block shots and chip in the occasional goal. He’s also respected in the room and by the front office, so they’re not just going to unload him for nothing.

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Mike Green

Contract: Final season; $5.35 million cap hit.

Like almost everyone else on the team, Green is experiencing a down season, with only nine points, including two goals. He might draw interest for his power-play ability but probably wouldn’t return more than a fourth-round pick.

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Darren Helm

Contract: Signed through 2020-21; $3.875 million cap hit.

Helm, 33, would be a good pick-up for a playoff-bound team because of his speed, energy, penalty-killing and ability to play wing or center and up and down the lineup. He is quietly having a decent season (nine goals, 15 points in 57 games and an unworldly minus-1 rating on this team). But teams likely would be hesitant to want him at that cap figure next season, though his actual salary is $3 million. The Red Wings probably would need to retain a large chunk of that salary to move him.

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Jimmy Howard

Contract: Final season; $4 million cap hit.

The Red Wings entered the season hoping to land a decent pick at the deadline for Howard. Now, he is not movable, after a dreadful season (2-22-2) in which he’s posted career-worsts in GAA (4.08) and save percentage (.886) and is riding a personal 19-game losing streak (0-17-2) since beating Edmonton on Oct. 29.

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Evgeny Svechnikov

Contract: In final year of entry-level deal, will be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights on July 1.

His slow start wasn’t surprising after he missed all of 2018-19 due to ACL surgery. He’s on a bit of a roll in Grand Rapids, with five goals and seven points in five games. The Red Wings should recall Svechnikov, the 19th pick in 2015, and evaluate him the remainder of the season before deciding whether to move him in the summer or keep him on the NHL roster (he’s no longer waiver-exempt in 2020-21).

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