Detroit Red Wings: Does Ken Holland Have a Blockbuster in Him?

Can Ken Holland & the Detroit Red Wings pull off some blockbuster deal? Could they even be able to find a trade partner? Would Detroit be willing to move prospects?

The Detroit Red Wings & Ken Holland may have a steady hand, but the right package could land a top 4 or better yet a top 2 defenceman if they play their cards right. To get that type of a high profile trade finished it will require moving a prospect or two along with a proven player.

It has been some time since any strong trade rumors have surfaced in Detroit. I’m wondering if Ken Holland has it in him to pull the trigger on a big-time deal. Carolina traded for Dougie Hamilton a few weeks ago. Detroit needs to consider something similar. Holland hasn’t seemed to be able to land a defender in a trade in quite some time. Folks may consider it time the General Manager makes a bold, calculated move.

Ken Holland should start by phoning Kevin Cheveldayoff who is the General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jet’s relationship with Jacob Trouba has been up and down over the years.

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Per Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun, Trouba who is a Restricted Free Agent at the moment is waiting for his arbitration hearing which is set to take place this Friday in Toronto.

First of all, it feels like this could add some frustration to the young blueliner who has had a rocky relationship with the Jets to start his young career out. Trouba sat out a while in 2016 if you remember with a contract dispute.

Although the former Wolverine posted 24 points in 55 games last season for the Jets but only scoring three goals on the season. Trouba is more of a shutdown defender rather than an offense contributing blueliner. The offense has yet to come, but Trouba still regarded as a top 4 defender. Finally, the Jets likely have no desire to move a young 24-year-old defenceman although it seems with the scared relationship they could be willing to listen to offers.

The Detroit Red Wings at least need to make a phone call and entertain the idea of bringing Jacob Trouba home. What would it take to acquire the likes of Trouba? Maybe something like Anthony Mantha & prospect Michael Rasmussen? Thow in a mid-round pick as the sugar on top. A Steep price to pay but franchises need to give to get. I don’t recommend it. It would be giving up to much but what does it cost to acquire a top 2 defender? Would it be in Detroit’s best interest to pull something like this off?

The only way a deal works is if a contract extension is in place at the time of the agreement. Holland isn’t trading for a player going into the last year of his deal or is currently an RFA.

If that doesn’t work out while Holland is on the phone with Kevin Cheveldayoff, he should ask about Tyler Myers. Tyler was a guy Detroit had targeted a few years back. Myers, a prominent defender that can skate pretty well for his size. He’s a right-handed shot. The issue would be getting a contract extension done and trade complete at the same time. Myers is entering the final year of his contract.

Trading for someone who could walk at the end of the season while your rebuilding is out of the question. What Detroit can’t afford to do is give up players under contract for a rental type player. The other issue is finding trade partners who are willing to give up a top 4 defender. It seems teams cherish defencemen more now than ever. If the Red Wings were able to get a trade/extension completed with the 28-year-old, something like a 4-year deal worth 7 per. What would the Jets expect in return? Andreas Athanasiou & Dennis Cholowski & a pick? Myers played all 82 games last year for the Jets, and his stat line looked like this 6-30-36. Myers will be the second most desirable defender come July 1, 2019. Because of this I fully expect Myers to test the market although its fun to consider a sign and trade. Detroit would need more than just a Myers extension for this package too.

Erik Karlsson would be a deal of the decade for the Detroit Red Wings, but it doesn’t make sense right now with his contract also expiring. Karlsson saw what Drew Doughty just made in LA. Karlsson is licking his chops for a big deal via free agency in the summer of 2019. An extension isn’t in his vocabulary these days. Erik Karlsson will be the most sought-after player next July 1st. Erik knows it, and it’s sure he can’t wait to choose his destination.

To get a player like Erik Karlsson, it would be costly. Ottawa will be moving Karlsson at some point to another team this season. It will start off as a playoff rental, but indeed, the acquiring team will make an effort to re-sign Karlsson before he reaches free agency. I still expect Karlsson to decline and listen to the line up of offers come July 1, 2019.

The Detroit Red Wings have players to move. They field notably a forward-heavy roster at the moment. Ken Holland has a logjam up front, its time to clean it up. The Wings need to flip a forward or two for a steady defender.

Holland can’t send Filip Zadina to Grand Rapids and play Martin Frk, Darren Helm, Luke Glendening in Detroit just because Zadina is 18. That can’t happen with this talent just because the others have experience.

Next: Detroit Red Wings: Against the Grain: A Look at Filip Zadina

Michael Rasmussen looked good last preseason when he was 18, close to making the team, but Detroit elected to send him back to the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. Although shall Rasmussen not make the team again this fall, Detroit is required to send him back to junior once again. If Detroit were able to send him to Grand Rapids, it would be an easier decision to send him down and recall him whenever they needed. Once Rasmussen goes back to the WHL, he must stay there for the season.

A younger forward could find himself a victim of the Red Wings having too many forwards on the current roster. That reasoning shouldn’t go over too well in Motown. A deal or two could be looming made in the next month clearing up a roster spot or two.

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Detroit Red Wings: Ken Holland Have a Blockbuster in Him?

By Bob Heyrman | Jul 18, 2018

Can Ken Holland & the Detroit Red Wings pull off some blockbuster deal? Could they even be able to find a trade partner? Would Detroit be willing to move prospects?