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NHL Trade Rumors: Detroit Red Wings Seeking Defensive Depth To Boost Playoff Quest

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NHL Trade Rumors: Detroit Red Wings Seeking Defensive Depth To Boost Playoff Quest

The Detroit Red Wings need help. Out of the playoffs since 2016, the Original Six franchise continues to be the subject of NHL trade rumors.  

The Red Wings need defensive reinforcements.  

General manager Steve Yzerman balked at acquiring Quinn Hughes, one of the league’s top blueliners, in a potential December blockbuster deal. It was a silent night. 

Reportedly, Yzerman failed to sign off on jettisoning Simon Edvinsson to the Vancouver Canucks. He declined to send the 2021 No. 6 overall draft pick as the final piece of a proposed package. 

Instead, Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild, despite his apparent preference to go to Detroit. 

Yzerman remains alert to any future deals.

NHL Trade Rumors Target Detroit Red Wings Seeking No. 4-5 D-Man

The Red Wings (28-16-4), who were shut out, 3-0, by the host Boston Bruins on Wednesday, didn’t appear to have sustainable energy competing in back-to-back nights. Along with the New York Rangers, the Red Wings have skated in a league-high 48 games. They entered Thursday in second place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

By holding onto Edvinsson, Yzerman maintained a top defensive pairing he drafted and helped mold. Along with Moritz Seider, the Red Wings have two of the league’s top, young blueliners. Hughes would have been a dynamic addition, but the front office obviously remained focused on the Yzerplan’s long-term vision. 

What’s next? 

The Red Wings need defensive depth to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. All eight teams in the Atlantic were separated by 12 points.  

With a top pairing secured, Yzerman is rumored to be looking at adding a complement to Ben Chiarot on the second pairing. Rookie Axel Sandin-Pelikka has not often looked overmatched, but likely would benefit from sliding down to third-pair minutes.

Here’s a brief look at two options the Red Wings could target as a No. 4 or 5 defenseman:

  • Justin Faulk: This is an obvious link. Faulk has the physicality the current Red Wings’ roster lacks, plus his right-handed shot would be coveted. With the St. Louis Blues struggling, they certainly will be looking to move veterans like Faulk.
  • Rasmus Andersson: Another big name on a struggling club, Andersson’s contract may initially keep Yzerman’s interest lukewarm, but if Faulk goes elsewhere, he could be calling Calgary.

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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