Rumor: Former 25+ goal scorer could be traded in training camp or the preseason.

It sounds like a tight salary cap situation will force a trade from the Detroit Red Wings organization, and rumors suggest that one of their top forwards may be among the candidates for the chopping block.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, NHL analyst Lyle Richardson commented on the rumors surrounding the Red Wings and it seems clear he believes the Red Wings must make a move. From Richardson:

It's a fact the Wings must clear some cap space to re-sign Athanasiou and need to leave sufficient space for other possible moves in 2017-18. If a trade is coming, it will likely happen during training camp or preseason in September.

Craig Custance of The Athletic has also commented on the speculation surrounding the Red Wings, although he goes one step further. Custance believes there are three obvious options on the table for general manager Ken Holland.

From Custance(emphasis our own):

The Red Wings aren’t going to buy anyone out, so that leaves only a salary-clearing trade as a possibility if salary needs to be cleared. Even with his pass through the expansion draft, there has been some tire kicking on goalie Petr Mrazek, someone the Red Wings would trade if the opportunity presented itself. Gustav Nyquist or Riley Sheahan are other options to move to clear salary.

Nyquist has seen his point production decline over the past two seasons, however despite that he likely remains the player who would command the most value in a trade for the Red Wings. With 12 goals and 36 assist in 76 games with a slumping Red Wings team last season there may be several rival NHL organizations interested in acquiring Nyquist. 

While the Red Wings would almost certainly prefer to move a player like Mrazek, finding a home for his 4 million dollar cap hit in his current form would likely be difficult and would likely yield a much weaker return.