The Detroit Red Wings are on the precipice of the playoffs. Two seasons ago, they missed the postseason by a single point. Last season, they struggled to stay consistent between two head coaches. This time around, they have a full year of head coach Todd McLellan at their disposal.
Now, all they need is a little extra help on the blue line.
The Red Wings just signed Travis Hamonic to a depth deal at $1M per season. But this deal seems to suggest that Hamonic would play the part of an emergency call-up. What the Red Wings need right now is consistent help on their middle pairing.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings acquire a depth defenseman on an affordable deal from a division rival.
Red Wings receive:
- Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson
Sabres receive:
- 2026 3rd round pick
- 2026 5th round pick
There are few teams in need of a fresh start more than the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres, who just endured their 14th consecutive year in a row outside the playoffs, need to shake things up. They’ve parted ways with JJ Peterka and signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a short-term deal. Trading Mattias Samuelsson to Detroit would free up a roster spot for one of their prospects while giving the team some extra salary flexibility.
In return, Detroit scores a bottom-four defenseman to help alleviate the burden Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson often have to bear on their own. While Samuelsson has struggled with injuries throughout his last three seasons, a new role on a new team could help to lower the chance of injury as he adjusts to a fresh play style.
Sabres Open to Trading Samuelsson
Mattias Samuelsson, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, is one of the top names the Sabres have been shopping around this offseason. Two months ago, the Sabres contemplated buying out Mattias Samuelsson’s contract. While the defenseman has been great in his own right, injuries and disagreements with then-head coach Lindy Ruff led to a rift between the defenseman and the organization.
“This would be the boldest move to bail on Samuelsson entering the third year of a seven-year, $30 million contract,” Michael Augello of The Hockey News said regarding a buyout. “Because of his age, the buyout would cost one-third of the remaining value of the deal spread over double the term left, instead of two-thirds. ”
Samuelsson has five years left on his contract making $4.285M per season.
What Samuelsson Brings to the Red Wings
Samuelsson, 25, set career highs in goals and points last season, with four goals and 14 points in 62 games. While he’s struggled with injuries in the past, he hit a career high in consecutive games played last season.
“Before I got injured, my game definitely wasn’t up to standard,” Samuelsson said at his end-of-season press conference. “I think after the injury, I put together a little stretch of building my game in the right way, then maybe there were some games here and there in the grind of the year that definitely could’ve been better.”
Samuelsson is an alternate captain for the Sabres. He could play a strong leadership role with the younger Swedish Red Wings like Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson and Elmer Soderblom. To top it off, his defense-first style offers strong, solid flexibility on the back end of the ice. Samuelsson’s game stifles oppositional offense, giving his team time to set up plays in their own end.
“I’m taking pride in trying to be hard to play against every shift, whether it’s in front of our net or in the corners. Trying to make it miserable on the other team’s forwards every night,” said Samuelsson regarding his play style.
Red Wings Score $21M Defenseman in Trade Proposal