Detroit Red Wings hypothetical: Advantages of adding Alex Pietrangelo

Alex Pietrangelo, defenseman for the Blues, may not be in St. Louis for long. With the Blues struggling, now could be a good time to fetch a valuable return for their captain, something to which Blues management has alluded. The rest of the league is looking earnestly at him as an option, so why not throw the Detroit Red Wings into the conversation?

Granted, the chances the Detroit Red Wings could add Pietrangelo to their arsenal are very slim. For starters, Pietrangelo has a no-trade clause for this year and next–the final two years of his 7-year contract. It is unlikely he would waive the clause to go to a team with just five more points in the standings than his current team. By all accounts, he doesn’t necessarily want to leave St. Louis either. The speculation is fun, nevertheless.

First, why would the Red Wings be interested in him? Even as a young player, the 28-year-old has already shown leadership being captain of the Blues since the 2016 campaign. He has shown offensive prowess as well, leading Blues defenders in points in every year but one since 2010. The two-time All-Star has proven himself worthy of a high draft pick–fourth overall in 2008.

As we have seen thus far, the Red Wings could use a boost on defense. While some of this can be attributed to injuries, the Red Wings have often struggled in the defensive zone. They have allowed substantially more shots on goal than the league average and rank in the bottom four in goals against. Offensively, not counting Mike Green or Dennis Cholowski, Red Wings’ defenders have not been much a factor either. Alex Pietrangelo would be an improvement in both departments.

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Then, how would a contract with the Red Wings work? This is where the hypothetical gets tricky. Alex Pietrangelo is on the salary cap for $6.5 million a year, a salary the Red Wings just cannot pay. The Wings have less than $2 million in cap space to use, according to Spotrac, ranking near the bottom of the league. The team would have to move some players around to get the pieces to fit.

So, who would the Red Wings be willing to give up? Easily, the most logical choice is Danny DeKeyser. Both defensemen are 28 years old who entered the league at roughly the same time, and both are restricted, free agents. DeKeyser’s contract of $5 million per year makes up for most of what it would cost for Pietrangelo. And, interestingly enough, both players are currently injured and out for at least the next few weeks. The only real difference is DeKeyser’s lasts through 2022, while Pietrangelo’s expires next year.

The problem, though, would be getting St. Louis to say “yes.” From a production standpoint, DeKeyser has never put up numbers close to Pietrangelo and besides, Pietrangelo is a much better defender. The suffering Blues are not looking to make a lateral move, much less trade down. Now, to sweeten the pot, the Red Wings would have to include a young prospect, or maybe the aforementioned Cholowski. This would be a move arguably more damaging to the future of the team, not worth the yearlong rental the Wings would get.

While the Detroit Red Wings acquiring Alex Pietrangelo may be little more a pipe dream, a little harmless speculation is entertaining, without a doubt. Anytime a top player is potentially available, the possibilities are certainly interesting.