The Detroit Red Wings have been a mainstay in the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs for ages. However, with just 58 points in the standings and currently sitting in last place in the Atlantic Division, the Red Wings aren't holding their breath when it comes to making the postseason. General Manager Ken Holland said as much last week when he claimed "By simple math we're going to have to have an incredible finish to make it" (qtd. by Nicholas Cotsonika at NHL.com on February 21st).

Detroit are last placed, trade away B. Smith

Entering Tuesday, Detroit are 11 points back of the 2nd Wild Card spot with seven teams between them and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It's certainly not just about catching Toronto to get into the post-season. Detroit would have to play better than each team between them and the Leafs as well, a circumstance that makes post-season qualification incredibly unlikely now.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings completed a trade to the New York Rangers. The Rangers are in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division where their stellar 82 points in the standings are currently good for nothing but a Wild Card spot. The Rangers acquired Brendan Smith on Tuesday, a trade that Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted about on Tuesday morning: "Smith has been traded to the New York Rangers for two draft picks," Dreger claimed (February 28th).

In related news, the Rangers have sent down Pavel Buchnevich, a change that Dan Rosen reported on from his verified Twitter account.

Dan Rosen has also suggested that the Red Wings aren't done with their NHL transactions.

Tweeting after news of the Brendan Smith trade was well known, Rosen stated that Detroit GM "Holland expects to make another move or two before the deadline" (February 28th), a deadline that is now just under 24 hours away from hitting. With a focus on the future, you have to think that Holland's aim will be to acquire more and more draft picks or younger players.

Riley Sheahan trade rumors persist

Riley Sheahan remains one of the players that might yet get dealt. The 25-year-old center has had a terrible season to date. In 58 games he has yet to score and he has just 9 assists on the season. It's not clear what he would add to any team and arguably he belongs in the minors based on his performance this season. However the Toronto Maple Leafs are one team that has been named as possibly interested in Sheahan.
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