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The Detroit Red Wings must cash in by trading a veteran defenseman to their rivals, the New York Rangers.
With $16.5 million in cap space and a healthy prospect pipeline, the Detroit Red Wings could stand to improve their outlook further.
That would be by taking advantage of their rivals, the New York Rangers, who are without a top defenseman, Adam Fox, who is out due to injury at the moment.
The Original Six team could profit by dumping the veteran blueliner in familiar territory.
Without a power-play quarterback and a two-way defenseman, the Rangers are a prime trade partner for the Red Wings. While the player they could send back to New York isn’t the former Norris Trophy winner, he could play on the power play for the Blueshirts as an injury replacement for Adam Fox.
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman:
Friedman stated: «I’ve heard the Rangers, with Adam Fox being out, they’re looking to see if there’s something they can find for a power play quarterback. I do think they are looking for somebody out there. And one of the names I’ve kind of heard thrown around is Erik Gustafsson, which would make some sense.»
With GM Chris Drury in a precarious spot, he’ll have to think outside of the box and acquire veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who is now playing in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Detroit Red Wings could cash in on a trade for defenseman Erik Gustafsson
The familiarity with the New York Rangers organization is already there and could be of benefit for both Gustafsson and GM Chris Drury.
Gustafsson suited up for the Rangers for 76 games during the team’s 2023-24 season and Presidents’ Trophy run, where he scored 31 points (6-25).
While the Red Wings wouldn’t receive a draft pick or little compensation in return for Gustafsson, clearing his cap space from the sheets would be beneficial.
Adding another $2.0 million back into the coffers would be pure addition by subtraction, and that is reason enough to trade Erik Gustafsson, who’s languishing in the AHL.
Not only that, but Gustafsson could compete for his next contract in a Rangers uniform.
It’d be a win-win scenario for all players involved.
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
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Red Wings must cash in on prime opportunity to trade veteran defender
Should the Detroit Red Wings cash in by trading veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson to the New York Rangers?