Red Wings' Erik Gustafsson reportedly being targeted by conference rival for imminent injury replacement

With mass injuries hitting the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings could be in a great position with a depth of talent on both rosters (NHL & AHL).

Holding a surplus of blueliners, the Red Wings could find a trade for their defenseman Erik Gustafsson from their original six rivals, the New York Rangers.

The Red Wings defenseman found himself in the AHL after the team decided to promote Axel Sandin-Pellikka at the beginning of the year.

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned his name in trade rumors:

For the veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson, a trade between the Red Wings and Rangers would send him to a familiar home.

He played for the Rangers before, during their 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy campaign, where he scored 31 points (6-25) and played in 16 playoff games.

He could still prove to be a great depth option on a team that is missing a power-play quarterback and top defenseman, Adam Fox.

The team could find it advantageous to trade the two-way defenseman to the Rangers, as they could get a return of assets for Gustafsson, rather than him sitting in the AHL with the Griffins or as an extra defenseman sitting outside the lineup.

Gustafsson wouldn't be a long-term replacement but would be a placeholder until Fox returns from injury, meaning he would see more time in the NHL as a Rangers player than he has all season in the Red Wings organization.

Tthe most the Red Wings would get out of trading Gustafsson would be clearing his cap space.

Addition by subtraction would be a benefit for their long-term plans of promoting prospects.