3 rugged defensemen the Red Wings need to add before the trade deadline
The Detroit Red Wings should be in the market to add a reliable defensive defenseman before the trade deadline, here are three realistic options.
The Detroit Red Wings have propelled themselves firmly into a wild-card position with their stellar play in 2024. The Red Wings are a mere four points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently control the third position in the Atlantic Division. With the postseason now in reach, general manager Steve Yzerman should strongly consider adding at the deadline rather than subtracting for the first time as the GM in Detroit.
Although head coach Derek Lalonde recently mentioned ( a few weeks ago) that if the Red Wings were to become buyers ahead of the deadline, adding a versatile forward would be atop his wish list. Lalonde said he'd love to add one more two-way forward who can play center or the wing.
Even considering Lalonde's thoughts, I believe it's in Detroit's best interest to add a reliable defensive defenseman who plays not only a physical brand of hockey but someone who plays with an edge and can log second-pairing minutes. Detroit's third pairing of Shayne Gostisbehere and Olli Maatta has become a liability more often than not during five-on-five play, and Justin Holl, well, he doesn't appear to be in the current plans. If Yzerman could find a way to move Holl, even retaining 50% of his salary in any deal before the deadline, that would be a win in itself.
The Detroit Red Wings need to be in the conversation for Chris Tanev
I've mentioned Chris Tanev multiple times over the past couple of months, and despite Detroit not being directly linked to him (yet), this is the type of defender that Yzerman should have on his radar.
Chris Tanev, 34, is often described as a rugged, fearless, tough defender who excels playing as a defensive-minded defender who thrives when the going gets tough and has a willingness to block shots. He's worn an 'A' at multiple stops throughout his career and, by all accounts, is a tremendous teammate. When Tanev smiles, you don't see many teeth; that's the type of hockey player the Detroit Red Wings need to add before the postseason. On one of Jacob Markstrom's masks, he has Tanev's mouth displayed as a tribute to his shot-blocking success.
Like a host of Calgary Flames, Tanev finds himself at the center of most of the current trade talks as we head toward the March 8th trade deadline. He is in the final year of his four-year $18 million deal, and the Flames have been hoping to receive a first-round selection in return for his services.
In 55 games this season, Tanev has totaled one goal and 12 points and is a plus-13. He's averaging nearly 20 minutes of work per night while maintaining a respectful Corsi For Percentage of 49. Tanev has 169 blocks on the season, which would lead the Red Wings. Moritz Seider has amassed 139 to date. Tanev is a right-handed shot who could be immediately inserted in on Detroit's second pairing with Ben Chiarot in favor of Jeff Petry and make a very formidable second unit that could take on a lot of the challenging assignments moving forward, which also takes some of the pressure off Seider and Jake Walman.
The rebuilding Flames are looking to add players, not just draft capital. Since forward Jonatan Berggren reportedly turned down a contract extension, expect Yzerman to dangle his name out there regarding potential deals. Perhaps Berggren and a draft pick entice the Flames? At the very least, it should be a conversation starter.
The Detroit Red Wings should consider adding Matt Dumba
Here's another name to monitor moving forward. If you recall, it took Matt Dumba quite a while this past summer to find a new home, and after signing a one-year deal worth $3.9 million, he had to have felt that home had the potential to be a short-term stay, especially if the Coyotes found themselves on the outside looking in. Remember, it's Arizona that we're talking about here, and I am not even sure Gary Bettman can help them this time. The Yotes are seventh in the Western Conference Wild Card race with just 51 points on the season thanks to a 0-8-2 record over their past ten contests.
The former first-round pick isn't lighting up the scoreboard, but he brings that physical element that I feel the Red Wings should seek ahead of the trade deadline. Dumba, once a two-way defender, is much more of a defensive player these days. He's totaled just four goals and nine points this season for the Coyotes over 53 games. He's a minus-14, but remember, we're talking about Arizona.
Dumba, 29, is averaging a touch over 20 minutes per night and has recorded 137 hits, which would lead the Detroit Red Wings this season to go along with 81 blocks. Like Tanev, the veteran defender is a right-handed shot and could easily be inserted into Detroit's second pairing, making the Red Wings backend a more sound group heading into the postseason.
Dumba should become a cheaper option than Tanev and someone Yzerman needs to have on his radar. I know Red Wings fans don't particularly like Dumba because of his history of taking cheapshots or targeting skilled players, but I think fans would come around on him if he were playing that physical style in a winged wheel jersey.
The Detroit Red Wings could use a player like Radko Gudas.
Radko Gudas would be the perfect trade deadline addition, but it's complicated. Due to the media scrutiny, the rugged, physical defenseman chose to sign with the Anaheim Ducks in free agency over teams like Toronto and Edmonton. I am not suggesting that Detroit's media is anything like Toronto or Edmonton, and Gudas did play in Philadelphia before Florida.
The Red Wings are an up-and-coming team that could use a defenseman with a mean streak. Gudas, 33, has a full no-trade clause for this season attached to his deal, so he holds the cards to his immediate future, but knowing the Ducks are just beginning what general manager Pat Verbeek is calling a 'lengthy' rebuild, perhaps Gudas would prefer to play on a team like Detroit that is finally on the cusp of a postseason run.
Remember, Gudas was the defender that leveled Red Wings forward Klim Kostin and had some words for the forward as he clutched his midsection on the ice following the hit. He wasn't asking him where he was going for dinner later that night, that's for sure. Gudas didn't like how Kostin ran into goaltender Lukas Dostal moments before. The hit was a clean hit; Kostin had the puck on his stick skating laterally along the offensive blue line, and Gudas caught him in the trolly tracks, shoulder to the chest.
Gudas, like the previous two defenders mentioned, is a right-handed shot. He's notched six goals and 13 points on the season to go with 189 hits and 119 blocks. He's also a plus-12 on the year. Gudas is averaging nearly 20 minutes per night and, like the others, would pair nicely with Ben Chiarot on Detroit's second unit.
The Red Wings need to add a physical player for their playoff run when the checking becomes much tighter. Detroit currently sits with 205 goals scored on the season, which ranks them sixth in the league, but they have given up the 19th most goals this year (183). Yzerman needs to shore up the backend if the organization hopes to make a serious playoff push. The Red Wings have the second-best record in the league since Jan. 1st.
manual