Second trade in less than 6 months for Staal?

When Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman acquired veteran blue liner Marc Staal at the end of September, he was asked to explain the move, to which he revealed: 

“As part of our rebuilding process, we’re trying to add draft picks, prospects, young players, future assets, really, to help us down the line. That’s kind of where we are,” he explained. “In this trade, obviously we’re acquiring [Marc Staal] and we get a second-round pick in the [2021] draft,” Yzerman continued. “We’re trying to be competitive. We’re trying to improve at the same time. So in this deal, not only [do] we get a defenseman that will go right into our lineup, that plugs a huge hole for us, we add future assets as well.”

So far, Staal has done well at camp in Detroit, however, trade rumours have emerged as we could see the veteran defenseman on the move again, per The Fourth Period. 

“Being in the final year of his contract, Staal could be a prime candidate to move ahead of the April 12 trade deadline if the Wings are out of the playoff picture by then, which could generate another draft pick added to the team’s cupboard.”

The 33-year-old is playing the last year of his deal at a full $5.7 million cap hit, and owns a full no-movement clause – he waived it to accommodate a trade from the New York Rangers to Detroit. He would once again have to approve any deal the Wings try to make.

The Red Wings finished last in the NHL standings last season by a considerable margin and Yzerman’s moves, including the addition of Staal along with defenseman Troy Stecher and Jon Merrill, forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov, and goaltender Thomas Greiss, were done to get better results amongst this long rebuilding process. 

However, Staal could be just quickly visiting Hockey Town and back on the move in a few months.