Detroit Red Wings: 3 defenseman to consider signing this off-season

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The Detroit Red Wings will have to sift through this free agency class and find players that fit the build of what they are looking for. With Steve Yzerman at the helm of this organization, it could get interesting to see how he navigates a tough free-agent market.

This year’s free agent class is certainly down in the dumps and one that needs to be better. The Detroit Red Wings are not the only team that is going to be looking for players in a free-agent class that does not have a lot to offer.

Given the Red Wings’ defensive situation, they will need to find some depth and add in a defenseman or two. Regarding the current state of the team’s defensive core, here’s how things are lining up.

Jake Walman (LD) – Moritz Seider (RD)
Olli Määttä (LD) – Ben Chiarot (RD)
Simon Edvinsson (LD) – TBD

Extras: William Wallinder, Albert Johansson, etc.

Given this, there’s going to be plenty of room for improvement. Since no third-pairing defender can plug into the lineup, the Red Wings need to go out and find some help on the free-agent market.

The market may be thin, but there are some players that the Red Wings need to have on their radar.

Here are three defensemen for the Detroit Red Wings to consider.

Mar 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) shots the puck during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Red Wings could grab a veteran defender in Travis Hamonic.

The Detroit Red Wings should go out and grab the 13-year veteran, Travis Hamonic, on a one-year deal. The 32-year-old defenseman is a right-handed shot that would bring a nice mix of veteran leadership and good depth to the bottom pairings.

Hamonic has played last season with the Ottawa Senators. The long-time defensive-minded defender has been able to excel in a bottom-pairing role. He may not be the top-tier defender, but the Red Wings do not need that; they need someone to contribute depth.

Hamonic played in 75 games with six goals and 15 assists for 21 total points. He averaged 18:34 in ice time this season and is someone the Red Wings could plug’n’play into their bottom pairing. He’s a right-handed shot that fills a need and has a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame.

Given his past in the league, it just seems like Hamonic is someone the Red Wings should be in on. He’s also someone who could help on special teams, killing penalties and being someone who helped defend when the Red Wings are on the penalty kill.

Hamonic was on a two-year, $6 million contract the last two seasons and likely could be someone the team can target on a lower AAV contract to eat up minutes in the bottom six. It’s a move the Red Wings should consider this off-season.

Feb 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl (3) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Red Wings should consider adding Justin Holl.

One of the players that the Detroit Red Wings should have on their shortlist of defenders to be looking at is Justin Holl. The 30-year-old has been in the league since his college days at the University of Minnesota, spending the last six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He’s a right-handed shot, so he would fit the build of someone that would add to the defense core and help them develop some depth. Plus, after all, Holl is someone who would be able to bring benefit in a bottom-pairing role.

In 2022-23, Holl played in 80 games for Toronto, with two goals and 16 assists for 18 total points. Again, like Hamonic, he’s a veteran player. He may have far less experience than Hamonic, but he’s someone who’s been around a competing team and will bring his experiences to the table.

Oh, Holl’s most recent contract with the Maple Leafs, Holl earned $6 million over three years. The $2 million AAV is something the Red Wings need to be able to get away with matching or using as part of the figure to figure out the right number.

Holl is someone who would be able to play a sound right-defense role in the bottom pairing. He’s not overly flashy or anything, but he gets the job done. Plenty of reasons to have Holl on the list of candidates that the Red Wings want to bring in.

He would be a cheap addition after his $2 million AAV number makes it seem even more like a move that could get pulled off.

Oct 23, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Will Butcher (4) skates with the puck during the first period against Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Red Wings should bring in Will Butcher for depth.

Last but not least, there are some players out there who may come to Detroit on league minimum deals or simply just super low AAV numbers. One of those players that should be considered is Will Butcher, who would be a welcome addition to the Detroit Red Wings’ defense core.

The 28-year-old defenseman is someone that the Detroit Red Wings would benefit from having around. He’s a left-handed shot which does not bode well for a lefty overload, but he’s someone who could fit a similar role to what Jordan Oesterle did.

Butcher can potentially be one of those players who gets plugged in as needed in the defense core. He’s fresh from a season with the Dallas Stars, where he did not log time at the NHL level, but in the AHL with the Texas Starts, he was impressive.

Butcher played in 65 games where he managed a six-goal, 37-assist line, giving him 43 total points on the season overall. Do not get it twisted, this was the AHL level, and he has not put up more than 30 points since his rookie season in New Jersey when he put up 44 points as a rookie.

The defender has five years under his belt in the NHL and deserves to be someone the Red Wings target and consider this off-season. He may not be the most outstanding player out there, but he would be a really cheap and beneficial addition to the Red Wings roster this upcoming season.

Next. Detroit Red Wings' Ben Chiarot contract might bite back over time. dark

After all, Butcher made just $750,000 from the Stars last season on his one-year deal. The Red Wings could likely get him cheap; if it does not pan out, minors it is.

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