Detroit Red Wings should consider Noah Hanifin but would have to clear room

The Detroit Red Wings are nearing the trade deadline. It's that time of year, and the rumors will start flying. While the Red Wings may not be the most active team, they may want to make a splash. One of the names that pique my interest is Noah Hanifin, who's on the trade block.

A couple of disclaimers here before the Detroit Red Wings fans jump on me for suggesting a trade. Hanifin would be an upgrade for the defense core and has a proven track record in the league; if they wanted to add in a nice boost, Hanifin would be an upgrade for Detroit.

I fully understand Simon Edvinsson is just waiting in the wings and chomping at the bit for his chance to play in the NHL, but Hanifin has the NHL experience and could be someone to at least consider at the right price. Lastly, the team is not really in a place to take on another defenseman, which is the basis for this article -- We'll revisit this.

With that out of the way, let's get down to business. As the trade deadline gets closer, the Red Wings may want to pull the trigger on a trade that brings them an upgrade. Hanifin would undoubtedly serve as an upgrade, and there's no doubt about that.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Noah Hanifin would be an upgrade.

Hanifin is a 27-year-old from Boston in his ninth year as an NHL defenseman. He played in three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes before being traded to the Calgary Flames in the Dougie Hamilton trade. Hanifin has since spent the last six seasons with the Flames.

He'll be a pending UFA after the 2023-24 season and could be a rental for the remainder of the year. He's a 6-foot-3, 207-pound defenseman who would bring some physicality to his game to Detroit's defense core. He's had some great years under his belt.

Hanifin has nine goals and 21 assists for 30 total points over 55 games played. He continues to put together some good seasons as of late, and there could be some value here, even beyond the 2023-24 season, but that would require a trade to be made first.

The holdup with the Detroit Red Wings trading for Noah Hanifin.

Sure, the team could stand to upgrade, but that would mean that the Red Wings have to part ways with one of their current defenseman. They could stand to gain some help in the defense core, and Hanifin accomplishes that, but the Red Wings would have to make room for him.

On top of that, the Red Wings have already struggled to make room for Simon Edvinsson, so the team would have to make a move to get rid of someone like Justin Holl or Jeff Petry to find room. It's not all that significant, but it could become a hurdle for the Red Wings to navigate to make sure they can get Hanifin into the defense core.

Again, that's all hypothetical, based on the idea of the Red Wings swinging a deal for the left-handed shooting defender. In the latest article about Hanifin from Bleacher Report, the Red Wings were not included as likely suitors for him.

However, there's no denying that he could bring the team a nice boost in the defense core. While Hanifin's unlikely to be on the team's trade deadline list, he would be an excellent addition for the Red Wings.