The Detroit Red Wings suffered their second straight loss last night, 7-2 to the New York Islanders. According to Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast mentioned the Red Wings are looking to move defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Justin Holl, and could potentially be looking to move Jonatan Berggren. The Red Wings have nine defenseman, giving them three extra not dressing. The current defenseman who have played are Ben Chiarot, Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Moritz Seider, and Jacob Bernard-Docker, who has played in every game except opening night when Travis Hamonic played. Having the seven defenseman they do makes Holl and Gustafsson expendable. Gustafsson has been mentioned as an NHL defenseman, and the Red Wings don’t want to send him down to Grand Rapids, so he’s the most likely to be moved of the two.
As for Berggren, he’s been blocked by the rookies as Emmitt Finnie has taken a top-line role and ran with it. Also Michael Brandsegg Nygard has taken what was Bergreen’s spot in the lineup. It would be surprising if Berggren is moved. The Red Wings have been dealing with the injury bug to start the season. They lost Lucas Raymond for a brief period and are now without Patrick Kane for the last three games. They’ve been rotating Berggren, James van Riemsdyk, and Elmer Soderblom for two spots in the lineup due to the injuries. Having the depth of those three helps when the injury bug strikes.
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Potential Trade Partners
The Maple Leafs need a right-handed shot defenseman. That would take Gustaffson out of the conversation, but Holl is a right-handed shot. Holl also spent his first six seasons of his career with the Maple Leafs. He played in 285 games for them and recorded 58 points on 11 goals and 71 assists. He was a +58 with 418 blocked shots and 462 total hits. Adding Holl would also let Oliver Ekman-Larsson slide over to the side he prefers to play on.
The defending Western Conference Champs have not gotten off to a great start this season. They’re a team that could certainly use some blue line depth. The Red Wings have also been linked to Mattias Janmark this season. That could create a one-for-one trade, helping both teams get what they need.
The Blues are always a team to watch when it comes to trades with the Red Wings, as they always seem to come up with a deal. The two teams have made This could be a team that could get Berggren away from Detroit if the Red Wings decide to move him.
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Montreal is a team to watch for all three players; they could use someone like Berggren on their bottom-six, along with some more depth pieces on their blue line. They could also use someone like Gustafsson to put on one of their power-play units.
The Blackhawks have won two straight games and are fourth in the Central Division to start the season. This could be a fit for Gustafsson, who could return to where he started his career, and it would be his third stint. He was the quarterback on their power play when he was there. The Blackhawks also have been rolling out 11 forwards and seven defensemen most nights. Adding a veteran piece to that could help them build on their start to the season.
The Sharks continue to add veteran pieces to complement their young stars. On the blue line, they keep looking to address, most recently claiming Vincent Iorio off waivers from the Capitals. They’re also without three defensemen right now. Ryan Ellis and Shaki Mukhamadullin are on injured reserve, and John Klingberg is day-to-day.
Wrap Up:
Trading one or two of the three could benefit the Red Wings, as teams will play a premium for affordable blue line help. The Red Wings return to the ice tomorrow night against the St. Louis Blues at home, as they face the Blues tomorrow and then again on Tuesday in St. Louis.
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