The Detroit Red Wings finalized their roster ahead of Monday’s 5 pm deadline. The final version signals a full commitment to the team’s youth movement. For instance, the inclusion of rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka is a testament to the direction the Wings are heading.
But among the pleasant surprises on the final cut, two veteran defensemen could have reached the end of the line. Specifically, we’re talking about Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson. Both blueliners were placed on waivers on Sunday, and, unsurprisingly, both cleared.
For Gustafsson, however, there may still be a ray of hope. The 33-year-old made the Opening Night roster as the Red Wings’ eighth defenseman. He’ll join Jacob Bernard-Docker in the press box on Thursday night’s opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
Gustafsson’s inclusion on the roster is likely an insurance move to start the season. If one of the younger blueliners like Sandin-Pellikka struggles at the beginning of the season, Gustafsson could step into the lineup.
Holl, on the other hand, might not be so lucky. According to PuckPedia, Holl’s cap hit has been officially buried in the AHL. $2.25 million of his $3 million hit will count toward the cap this season. Fortunately for the Red Wings, he’s in the final year of his deal.
It remains to be seen if Holl will report to Grand Rapids or if his demotion to the AHL is nothing more than a paper transaction.
Be that as it may, this move could very much signal the end of the line for a once-promising blueliner.
Red Wings focusing on youth moving forward
The decade-long rebuild in Detroit has yielded a plethora of young stars. The veterans brought in at various points throughout the rebuild were nothing more than placeholders until the prospects could take over.
That was the case for Gustafsson and Holl. They were signed to provide stability while up-and-coming blueliners like Moritz Seider, Albert Johansson, Simon Edvinsson, and Sandin-Pellikka were ready to take over.
It appears that moment has now arrived. So, players like Gustafsson, Holl, and free-agent acquisition Travis Hamonic will provide depth as the lineup takes shape under the first full season of coach Todd McLellan.
How well the Red Wings will respond this season is unclear. The young core could gel right off the bat, or may struggle to find an identity. At this point, no one is picking the Red Wings to make the playoffs. So, any improvement over last season will be more than welcome.
Ultimately, veterans like Gustafsson and Holl could be names to watch come trade deadline time. There may be more than a couple of teams looking for veteran insurance heading into the postseason. A player like Justin Holl could be that sort of insurance at a very affordable price point.