Deal Would Send Shanahan to Detroit

The sweepstakes for Hartford Whalers left wing Brendan Shanahan is coming to a head, as the Detroit Red Wings have apparently agreed to send holdout center Keith Primeau and all-time defenseman scoring leader Paul Coffey east.

The specifics of the deal notwithstanding, the trade is being held up because Coffey is refusing to report to Hartford. Primeau has reportedly agreed to a new contract with the stipulation that he get traded to the Whalers.

Primeau is suspended for not reporting to the team after the World Cup and did not travel to New Jersey, where the Red Wings play the Devils tonight. Coffey’s status was uncertain.