The Detroit Red Wings defense didn’t get the makeover some hoped for this offseason or even the key addition some expected.

The Red Wings will head into training camp with the same top five defensemen who were with them at the end of the season and two additions who will be competing for a spot on the third pairing in all likelihood.

They have eight NHL defensemen, making it clear prized prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka needs development time with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

We projected forward lines on Monday. Here’s a look at what defense pairs could look like at the start (left-right):

1. Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider

A familiar on-and-off pairing the past three seasons. Seider averaged a career-high 25:04 last season and will continue to log minutes in all situations, including the top power play and penalty killing units, and will be matched up against top lines. Chiarot lacked consistently last season but provides a much-needed physical element on the blue line.

2. Simon Edvinsson-Albert Johansson

Edvinsson experienced a strong first full NHL season, not only defensively, but offensively with seven goals and 31 points in 78 games despite little power play time. He played with Seider at times but having him on the second pair provides more balance. Johansson was among the players who flourished under coach Todd McLellan, who called him the team’s most surprising player. He wasn’t overwhelmed on the second pair and showed he can play the right side as a left-shooter.

3. Erik Gustafsson-Travis Hamonic

Gustafsson’s ability to man the point on the second power play unit gives him the edge in the competition for a third pair spot, but he doesn’t have a firm grip on it. He needs to be better defensively and provide a little more offense (two goals, 18 points in 60 games). The 15-year veteran Hamonic does the dirty work (physical play, shot-blocking) that the Red Wings need.

Extras: Jacob Bernard-Docker, Justin Holl

Bernard-Docker is looking to establish himself after appearing in only 144 games over parts of five seasons with Ottawa and Buffalo. The Red Wings opted not to buy out Holl, who is entering the final season of his three-year, $10.2 million contract, because cap space is not an issue and there is always a need for experienced depth defensemen. But if everyone on defense is healthy, they might opt to waive Holl like they did before last season, and send him to Grand Rapids if he clears, rather than carry eight defensemen.

Will miss the cut: Axel Sandin Pellikka

Barring a spectacular training camp and preseason in which he forces his way onto the roster, Sandin Pellikka will start the season in Grand Rapids. It will be the first full season in North America for the 17th overall pick in 2023, who played in two regular season and three playoff games for the Griffins last season after his Swedish club was ousted from the playoffs. It’s more difficult for a defenseman than a forward to make the NHL at age 20, especially with little experience on the smaller ice surfaces. Perhaps Sandin Pellikka will get a look with the Red Wings at some point this season.

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