3 Players to target at the Trade Deadline for The Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are playing their best hockey in quite some time as they are getting noticed in the league, this time for good, not bad.
Rising stars Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider are leading the way as rookies and have run with their opportunity, both high in the Calder Trophy conversation.
Three players the Red Wings should look target at the deadline.
With that said the team could very well look different before we hit April. In years past the Red Wings would sell players and in return get prospects and draft picks, but this year is different. This season they could well be buyers as they are still in contention for a playoff spot.
Hampus Lindholm
Defenseman Hampus Lindholm, 28 years old, from the Anaheim Ducks. One of the needs for Detroit is a left-handed defenseman who can play 20 minutes a night, add a bit of offense, and be a solid contributor defensively.
Lindholm checks all of those boxes and the cap hit is $5.2 million, which is well within reason for Detroit. He would be a top 4 pairing defenseman and could be re-signed because he is a UFA after this season. This season he has 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points and 40 penalty minutes in 51 games. He has good size, mobility, and will play the physical game Detroit lacks from the blueline.
Nick Paul
Next is Ottawa Senators center Nick Paul, 24 years old and a big boy at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds. At his size, he gives the Red Wings size they lack up-front and also dependable center depth, which they also lack. Paul is a good two-way center who can also play the physical game. In 49 games this season Paul has 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points and 20 penalty minutes.
Carl Dahlstrom
Lastly, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Dahlstrom is 6-foot-5 and 229 pounds. The 27-year old would be a perfect fit for the Red Wings. Another defense-first defenseman who brings size and physical play. His cap hit is low at $750,000 so the Red Wings could re-sign him after the season because he too is a UFA after the season. With the AHL Toronto Marlies, he has registered 12 assists in 34 games this season.
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Look for Detroit to be active at the deadline this year and the off-season as general manager Steve Yzerman continues to mold this team into playoff contenders. With the roster shaping up to be competitive the rest of this season in search of the playoffs, a few additions could put this team right there for the last playoff spot.