A once-quiet but powerful feeling is rushing to the forefront of the Motor City as fans continue to believe in the Detroit Red Wings' playoff chances this season.

The Red Wings (33-23-6, 72 points) are firmly in the thick of the race for a spot in the NHL playoffs after two straight months of inspired play to start the 2024 calendar.

Now, all eyes are on Friday's 2024 NHL trade deadline, and whether general manager Steve Yzerman will be aggressive in trading for more help for the playoff push, or stand pat and rely on the team's depth.

The rebuild has been a long one, especially for a city used to playoff hockey in late April and May, but Yzerman's vision has started to round into shape, as the depth of the roster has helped elevate Detroit into playoff contention for the first time since 2016.

DEJA VU: Red Wings' skid at NHL trade deadline not the same as in 2023

The Red Wings were one of the hottest teams in hockey in February, which included a six-game winning streak that had them nipping at the heels of third place in the Atlantic, but have lost three straight games in rough fashion to the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche. Despite that, the Wings still have a two-point lead for a wild-card spot, but the playoffs are far from a guarantee.

The immediate future also got a bit cloudy after head coach Derek Lalonde announced captain Dylan Larkin, who leads the team in goals (26) and points (54), would be out for approximately two weeks with a lower-body injury.

Here are some guidelines for the Red Wings' trade deadline, including Free Press reporting on the team's potential plan of action, names on the trading block, and how the team is approaching a critical stretch without Larkin.

NHL trade deadline 2024: Date, time, how it works

The trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. ET. That means all trades must be completed and sent to the league office by then to become official.

NHL teams can still make a trade post-deadline, but players involved are barred from playing in the regular season or postseason that year if they are involved in a post-deadline transaction, typically saved for prospects yet to play in the NHL.

There has been some activity already like the Washington Capitals sending out former Red Wing Anthony Mantha, who was dealt by Detroit at the deadline in 2021, to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a second and fourth-round pick. Other players that have already been moved include Jake Guentzel to Carolina, Vladimir Tarasenko to Florida, and Chris Tanev joining Dallas in a three-team deal.

[ NHL trade deadline 2024 live updates: Breaking down the impact of all the trades ]

Will the Red Wings be buyers or sellers?

The Red Wings have been sellers at the trade deadline while rebuilding the team since their last postseason venture in 2016. Last year, the team snuck up into the conversation for playoff contention in the weeks leading up to the deadline, but decided on selling players like Filip Hronek, Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana during the final week of trading in 2023, and the Wings finished another season on the outside looking in.

Though Detroit has dropped three straight, the feeling is much different leading up to the deadline this year. The Red Wings are still firmly in the playoff picture, projected to have a 56% chance by The Athletic model and 61% chance by HockeyViz. The Wings enjoy a wealth of depth at every position, along with some prospects waiting in the wings in Grand Rapids.

Yzerman did a lot during the offseason to position the Wings better heading into the chaotic final frenzy of deadline week. He added depth with goalies Alex Lyon and James Reimer, defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere, Jeff Petry and Justin Holl, and forwards Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Compher and Daniel Sprong, among others.

But his biggest roster move of the season was an in-season acquisition, signing future Hall of Fame winger Patrick Kane in November fresh off of hip surgery.

The roster construction to this point means there aren't any glaring holes the Wings need to address immediately, and there are no pending free agents the team needs to make a decision on before losing them for free in the offseason. The Free Press' Helene St. James reported earlier this week the team is in a flexible spot, potentially looking to add defensive depth or a forward that can add grit and physicality up front, but it remains a real possibility Yzerman is quiet because of the versatility in the roster already.

[ MUST LISTEN: Reviewing the Red Wings' playoff push with Helene St. James on the "Carlos and Shawn" podcast. Make us your go-to Detroit sports podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] 

Will the Dylan Larkin injury change the deadline approach?

Larkin suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday's loss to the Panthers, putting him on the shelf for around two weeks, the team announced Monday.

His absence is a blow for the Wings, as they battle for every point they can gather in a crowded leaderboard, but it is not expected to be a major factor impacting their deadline approach. The team is planning to use Joe Veleno in his spot in the front line along with DeBrincat and Kane, while Andrew Copp slides into Larkin's spot on the top power-play unit.

The Wings have seven games scheduled in the two-week window if Larkin's recovery goes according to plan. The first half will be a four-game road trip which started Wednesday in Colorado with a 7-2 blow, followed by a back-to-back Friday against the Arizona Coyotes and Saturday at the defending champion Golden Knights, before returning east to play in Buffalo against the Sabres on Tuesday. The Wings then play the Coyotes at home Thursday, before another weekend doubleheader against the Sabres at home and Penguins on the road Sunday.

Names on the trade block

A number of big names potentially on the market have already been moved, including Jake Guentzel moving to Carolina.

Frank Vatrano, F, Ducks

Vatrano, who will turn 30 next Thursday, already has a career-best 29 goals this season, along with 20 assists in 62 games for lowly Anaheim (23-36-3, 49 points). He has a $3.65 million cap hit and is signed through next season.

Justin Holl, D, Red Wings

One of the current Red Wings that could be on the move is Holl, a defenseman who joined this offseason from the Toronto Maple Leafs on a three-year deal. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week Yzerman is "trying to move Justin Holl" before the deadline. Holl, 32, has five goals and five assists in 35 appearances this season, but has not played since Jan. 31, outside of Lalonde's lineup equation. If dealt, Holl would have two years remaining on his contract at $3.4 million a year.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings trade deadline: What to know, top targets and more