Top 3 players the Red Wings missed out on at the NHL trade deadline

Lars Eller would have added depth scoring and defense

One major theme with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24 is that, while they have been fantastic with the puck, it has been a different story when the puck is on the opponents’ sticks. This team is supposed to be a playoff contender, but allowing 211 goals or 3.29 per contest after 64 games won’t take anyone far in the postseason. 

Lars Eller is one of three forwards listed whose defensive game would have given Detroit’s goaltending rotation some much-needed relief. Eller hasn’t been the most physical defensive forward this season, but with 39 takeaways, he’s still tough on opponents trying to make something happen when his team is in the defensive zone. 

A team struggling defensively can also never have too many men on the penalty kill. Eller brings that, despite Detroit’s PK unit being one of the better ones in the league with a success rate of over 80 percent. 

Best yet, Eller has a career Corsi of over 50 percent at 5-on-5, and he’s also someone who can win faceoffs in the defensive zone. With the playoff race heating up now, you can never have too many players who can help a team regain or maintain puck possession.