Red Wings considering these 4 trade deadline defensive acquisitions
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Detroit Red Wings considering these 4 trade deadline defensive acquisitions
With the Christmas break almost done, the Detroit Red Wings will need to consider clearing up some discrepancies in the lineup.
The team itself has punched above its weight this season, sitting in the top spot in the Atlantic Division, 1st, with a record of 22-13-3.
They've managed not to disappoint us lately, with a 12-7-1 record at home and a multitude of players hitting career milestones this NHL season.
Despite that, there remain flaws in the lineup that need to be addressed on the blue line.
If the team is going to be successful in its first playoff run in nearly a decade, it needs to fortify its blue line after missing out on superstar Quinn Hughes in a trade.
Who could be a better option in his place?
Detroit Red Wings should consider these 4 defenseman in trade at the deadline
The Nashville Predators could end up being sellers at the trade deadline thanks to General Manager Barry Trotz's haphazard roster construction.
Defenseman Roman Josi is one of the top defensemen in the league, and despite coming with a hefty $9.059 million price tag, he could be one player who could be an upgrade on the backend.
Josi would be a two-year rental for a team that has higher aspirations than the Predators could hope to achieve now. Josi could end up being the Red Wings' 2nd-best defenseman if acquired and could take pressure off Moritz Seider.
Trading the captain would not only relieve the Predators of some cap space but could help speed up their rebuild. A pairing of Josi and Seider could allow some flexibility in the lineup and could solidify the team as a legitimate contender.
This season, Josi has posted two goals and 15 points through 23 games, maintaining a minus-7 rating and averaging just a touch over 23 minutes per game. His Corsi For percentage (CF%) sits at 55%, indicating strong possession numbers despite being on a poor team. His expected goals for percentage (xGF%) sits at 54%.
Zach Werenski
If the Columbus Blue Jackets do decide to make more moves, one avenue Steve Yzerman should explore is seeing if defenseman Zach Werenski is available.
As a team that is currently tanking, Werenski wasn't shy with his dissatisfaction with the team's losing culture.
Werenski's price tag would be $9.58 million average annual value, but he could be worth a shot; as a top defenseman, it's expected.
Werenski isn't asking for a trade, but typically, we see developments happen later when frustration boils over in the media. Werenski could strengthen the team's blue line and reunite Werenski and his friend, Dylan Larkin, both Michigan Wolverines.
This season, he's scored 26 points (14-12) in 35 games, playing almost 28 minutes a night on a rebuilding team. Did we mention he's an analytical stud?
Werenski's analytical profile is equally strong: his CF% stands at 52.2, and his xGF (52.0) ranks top among Blue Jackets defenders.
Jamie Oleksiak
General Manager Steve Yzerman could add some size on the backend if he makes a trade for the towering 6-foot-7 defenseman. Oleksiak would be a cheap third-pair option with grit, a price tag of $4 million average annual value, and is signed through 2027.
This season, he's scored 5 points (2-3) with a plus-4 rating playing 16 minutes a night for the Seattle Kraken.
His CF% is just 46.1, but a 68.2% defensive zone start percentage highlights his shutdown capabilities. While not flashy, Oleksiak brings physicality (46 hits, 48 blocked shots), penalty-killing acumen,
Connor Murphy
Add another third-pairing option who plays a physical game at an affordable AAV of $.4 million. He has two years left on his contract with the Blackhawks and has scored 3 points (3 A) with a minus-6 rating in 35 games this season.
His CF% (44.1) is modest, but he excels at suppressing high-danger chances, as evidenced by his 1.98 expected-goals against per 60 minutes. Murphy's 36 hits and 48 blocked shots reinforce his reputation as a reliable, physical defender.
Murphy could bolster the bottom pairing, playing alongside Albert Johansson, and could prove to be great veteran leadership for the developing defenseman.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 102 ANSWERS Red Wings considering these 4 trade deadline defensive acquisitions Which one of these 4 trade deadline defensive acquisitions should the Detroit Red Wings consider? | ||
| Roman Josi | 13 | 12.7 % |
| Zach Werenski | 76 | 74.5 % |
| Connor Murphy | 5 | 4.9 % |
| Jamie Oleksiak | 8 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||