I dont mind the players but not a second rounder too, we need the picks more than a rental in patches.

Not enough cap space to field a complete 23 man roster.

Any trade of Patches to Red Wings make no sense. A trade of expiring contract to a lottery bound team with no cap, why do the Wings do this?

You'd need to field at least a 22 man roster, And we don't have the cap space for it. Detroit trading for Pacioretty makes zero sense. Both Pacioretty and Nyquist will be on expiring contracts and i don't see either resigning with their respective clubs. Patches will want a better team then Detroit and visa versa with Nyquist. Montreal can get a by far better offer then this for Patches. Detroit and Montreal don't make good trading partners here.

Believe that the minimum roster is 20 players, 18 skaters and 2 goalies.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26377

There may be a maximum of 23 players on each Club's playing roster at any one time from the commencement of the NHL regular season through the trade deadline. Prior to the start of the season, each Club must submit to the NHL its "Opening Day Playing Roster" which shall be comprised of not more than 23 players. Each Club must have a roster of at least 20 players, composed of 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Players on Injured Reserve do not count in the 23-man limit.