3 rugged defensemen the Red Wings need to add before the trade deadline

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.