A major rift erupts and the Detroit Red Wings may have to make a trade
Photo credit: Brett Holmes-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings, GM Steve Yzerman, and Todd McLellan have a new direction, and veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson may not be part of it.
After a disappointing 2024-2025 NHL season, the Red Wings need a course correction.
The Detroit Red Wings need to tap into the potential of prospects who are maturing into NHL players. In doing so, they'll have to decide what next steps to take with veterans, like Erik Gustafsson.
Gustafsson was brought in as a replacement for Shayne Gostisbehere, but hasn't really worked out. With a disappointing season for the team as a unit, Gustafsson could be moved to make way for Axel Sandin Pellika.
Sand Pellika has had an electric year in the SHL and is poised to take a roster spot in 2025-2026.
Red Wings, who was 7th D for Sweden in the 2025 IIHF tournament, could find a new home elsewhere.
He could help bolster the Pittsburgh Penguins' blue line? Given that the Red Wings' youth movement is ongoing and growing both in the AHL and NHL, there would be a reason to move him and not just to make a spot for another player.
But in order to regain some kind of asset for Gustafsson. Sometimes, addition by subtraction is a thing, and this could very well be it.
Gustafsson is capable of being a depth addition to any NHL team's lineup, considering he's scored 49 points in the last two seasons with the Red Wings.
His contract would be easy to absorb as well, at only $2 million AAV.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 103 ANSWERS A major rift erupts and the Detroit Red Wings may have to make a trade If you were GM Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings, would you trade defenseman Erik Gustafsson? | ||
| Yes | 85 | 82.5 % |
| No | 18 | 17.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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