The most logical trade between the Red Wings and Wild comprises…
This is a unique trade as it could more than benefit Detroit and Minnesota in the short and potentially the long run, and in more ways than just swapping current NHLers. The basis of this trade will comprise the Wild sending Gustavsson to the Red Wings for Ville Husso and a blueliner we spoke about in the previous post, Justin Holl.
This allows someone who has 1A potential in Gustavsson to play somewhere he can sidle in as the top netminder while a clear-cut 1B in Ville Husso has a chance to restart his career and play in a role identical to what he enjoyed in 2021-22 when he was initially the 1B to Jordan Binnington.
Justin Holl makes an adequate replacement for Goligoski, and we all know he shouldn’t be in a Red Wings uniform for 2024-25 anyway, so placing him in this trade also made sense. Yzerman will also flip a borderline NHL-ready prospect over in Elmer Soderblom, an imposing winger whose physical play could inevitably lead to more scoring chances with a team like the Wild.
Likewise, the Wild will send a prospect on the blue line over and one who, with more improvement, could see their stock skyrocket next season. Ryan O’Rourke possesses a playing style the Wings need, and even if he’s not an NHLer next season, it won’t be long until the stay-at-home defenseman is routinely checking opponents with the big club.