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NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Top Right Defensemen On Market

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Top Right Defensemen On Market

The Detroit Red Wings need help on the right side of their defensive alignment. NHL trade rumors indicate general manager Steve Yzerman will defy his recent trend of hoarding the franchise’s prospects and draft assets and acquire veteran reinforcements for a long-awaited playoff run.  

The Red Wings, who have failed to qualify for the playoffs since 2016, entered Friday leading the Atlantic Division by one point over the Tampa Bay Lightning.  

Last season at the trade deadline, captain Dylan Larkin voiced his displeasure over the Red Wings standing pat. 

This season, the players are eager to see what deals Yzerman can create.  

“I think we have put ourself in a position to maybe go and get some players and try to be a team that’s a buyer at the deadline,” Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane said, as reported by WXYZ Detroit. 

A right-side defenseman is high on Yzerman’s to-do list. 

Here are three options:

Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues

Faulk’s physical presence and right-handed shot could be a perfect fit for the Red Wings, who employ 24-year-old Moritz Seider, 22-year-old Simon Edvinsson, who missed Thursday’s games with a lower-body injury, and 20-year-old rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka among their top two pairings. Faulk, a 15-year veteran, had appeared in 1,030 career games and posted 481 points and 506 penalty minutes. Two barriers remain: Faulk’s $6.5 million cap hit and his 15-team no-trade clause.

Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils

If a Faulk deal fails to develop, Yzerman could shift his focus to Hamilton. The Red Wings had approximately $13 million in projected cap space available, per Spotrac.com, and could absorb Hamilton’s $9 million cap hit. His offense would be attractive to pair with Edvinsson or Ben Chiarot. The 32-year-old has a 10-team trade list and two seasons remaining on his current 7-year deal. The Devils have shopped Hamilton, who compiled 517 points in 880 career games, since last off-season.

Timothy Liljegren, San Jose Sharks

Liljegren could prove to be a backup option for Yzerman. At 26 years old, Liljegren, a pending free agent, could be viewed as an option for an extension. He currently has a $3 million cap hit. The 2017 No. 17 overall pick posted just nine points (all assists) and a minus-8 rating in 37 appearances this season. His lack of production could allow Yzerman to buy low.

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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