That return might not even be enough for Timo let alone a 100 point defenseman

Ok that almost pays for all the retention you want on all those players but what are you going to give up for the players themselves?

And don't forget you'll have to pay for all the cap dumps too.

Don't kid yourself, SJ wants out from under that Karlsson contract. When they are good he will be a shell of himself, and he's on an anomaly of a year

Murray (cap dump, could retain and flip)
Engvall (serviceable player who can play all positions, which they could retain salary on and flip for assets)
Abruzzese (Solid B prospect)
1st round pick
for
Burtuzzi (Rental having a down year)
Ned (overpayed and buried in the minors)

This one seems pretty even

Meir (basically a rental)
Karlsson (terrible contract, having a great season)
for
Kerfoot (serviceable player who can play all positions, which they could retain salary on and flip for assets)
Holl (serviceable player on a cheap contract who can play all positions, which they could retain salary on and flip for assets)
Knies (top power forward prospect that literally every team is rumored to want in any deal)
1st round pick
3rd round pick
3rd round pick

I don't see the problem

Why would they want out of a contract for a 100 point defenseman? Grier has said as much in interviews. He isn’t getting bent over the sink to move him. They literally have no need to move him.

You think they're willing to take the risk that he keeps this up and will continue to on the outside of their rebuild? Grier is only trying to talk up his asset and drive up the price as high as he can. If they didnt want to move him, there wouldnt even be a discussion

If someone is interested, as a GM you have a responsibility to listen and drive the price up as much as possible yes. That’s literally the job

Detroit declines. No need to retain on Ned, and at this point if a team wanted to trade a depth piece with slightly higher cap hit for him or FC, so be it.

Engvall adds nothing to Detroit, Murray is a negative asset going to Detroit (Ned is gone after this season, Murray has another year), and Abbz is a fringe NHL prospect. The 2024 is fine although most likely 25-30 and pushed off another year.

The Wings are better off keeping Ned buried unless an injury occurs, and sending Bert to Dallas, TB, or Edmonton for better value if he’s traded at all.