The Detroit Red Wings blue line still needs work if they want to reach 'playoff-calber' level. While they made an improvement with Jacob Bernard-Docker coming to town, the overall depth is a massive question mark.
If the season started today, the Wings would roll with a third pairing that would include Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson. And even if the two were (undoubtedly) in a time share, with Bernard-Docker skating close to or at full-time on the other side, it's not enough to make their end of the bargain click.
The best bet would be for Steve Yzerman to move one of them as part of a trade and get someone, anyone, not capable of holding the team back in that slot to pair with Bernard-Docker. This doesn't need to be a blockbuster trade by any means; just acquire someone who can play.
If Yzermand made a trade like that, he at least has a stopgap until someone like Axel Sandin-Pellikka's ready to graduate. And to be honest, Sandin-Pellikka can't graduate fast enough, but you also want to make sure he's NHL-ready before letting him don the winged wheel full-time.
Don't be surprised when the Detroit Red Wings make one last-minute trade
I would've loved to have seen someone like Henry Thrun in town, since it was clear the San Jose Sharks didn't want much for him. The 24-year-old would've been a potential-based pickup who could've slid right in next to Bernard-Docker.
And it wouldn't surprise me an iota if the Sharks would've taken Justin Holl in a trade like that, since they got Ryan Reaves in the deal. To be frank? Holl's probably the better player at this point, even if we're comparing guys at different positions.
Tony Wolak of The Hockey Writers recently mentioned Erik Karlsson, and I'd be glad to see the longtime defenseman suit up for the Wings in 2025-26. Karlsson's not the player he was, but he'd be a solid top-four asset this season alongside either Moritz Seider or Simon Edvinsson, shoring up either Albert Johansson or the veteran in Ben Chiarot to line up alongside Bernard-Docker.
This would also let someone like Justin Holl or Erik Gustafsson to slide into a No. 7 defenseman role, where they can make sporadic appearances.
Another name to look out for is Rasmus Andersson
Michael Whitaker of The Hockey News mentioned Rasmus Andersson, and this would be a player I'd be willing to pay some strong compensation for. He'll be heading into his age-29 season, so he's a lot younger than Erik Karlsson. Plus, he's capable of putting up between 40 and 50 points a season, which would give the Wings another two-way option.
Andersson won't bring a physical edge to Hockeytown, but he's a shot-block artist, stepping in front of 186 in 2023-24 before following that up last season with 196. That's an incredible number that would take a lot of pressure off John Gibson and Cam Talbot.
So, now it's up to Yzerman to make this happen. I'd be cool with either player here that would complete the Wings blue line for the 2025-26 season. But it's clear Andersson would be my preference, even if it means moving more than Justin Holl or Erik Gustafsson and a draft pick to get him.
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