I don't understand how through 5 pages of trade discussion people are still proposing Fil + pick and prospect in exchange for a top player from a another team. There is no scenario where Fil gets dealt to a non-playoff team. None. There's no value there. At all. He's a pending UFA. Nor does it make any sense that we would get a player anywhere close to his level. Playoff teams would most definitely have interest but would never trade a roster player of same or higher value. How does that make any sense if they want to contend? They would offer picks, a prospect or a marginal roster player. We will be lucky to get a low 2nd round pick in a deep draft if traded. But I dont think he will be regardless. Its just not the Red Wing's style.
Regardless of Flip's contract or the playoff expectations of any other team, Flip plus any of our picks and prospects aren't likely to return a player like Bobby Ryan. But an older player, particularly if they are also in the last year of their contract and/or not currently performing well (Iginla) could be possible. But that kind of deal wouldn't really make sense for us.
Any team looking for help at forward, particularly at center, would be interested in Flip. Being in the last year of his deal lowers his value, but it doesn't eliminate it altogether. What would make the most sense for us would be Flip + defenseman (plus maybe a pick or prospect) for a better defenseman. That kind of deal could work with anyone that has a deep defense. I don't know if any teams would be a good fit for that, Columbus maybe, though I doubt they'd give up Johnson. Wis, Tyutin, or Nikitin wouldn't interest me all that much.
Also, teams looking to shed salary or part ways with an under-performing player could have some interest. Again, I don't know if there are any good fits around the league, but there might be. Probably not a situation that works for us, since that would usually be an older player, but you never really know who might be available.
But I'd agree that he won't be moved at all.
