The Detroit Red Wings could use an upgrade on the blue line, and one analyst urges them to make a bold trade.
NHL analyst Todd Matthews of OctopusThrower urges the Red Wings to trade for Wyatt Kaiser of the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old could be moved as he remains an RFA and doesn’t have a clear path to playing time with the Blackhawks.
“If that holdout persists, why shouldn’t Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman inquire?,” Matthews wrote. “One look at the Blackhawks blueliners, and they got cornerstones like Alex Vlasic and Artyom Levshunov. Plus, Sam Rinzel, Kevin Korchinski, and Nolan Allan under contract. Not to mention, Connor Murphy’s the veteran presence tasked with leading the kids…
“Kaiser’s heading into his age-23 season, and he’s not going to produce like Axel Sandin-Pellikka eventually will,” Matthews added. “Heck, he may not even hit Simon Edvinsson levels. But his puck-moving ability’s something the Wings can use, even if he’s primarily only playing between 17 and 18 minutes per game.”
Kaiser is just 23 and only hitting his prime now, so he could be a key part of the Red Wings’ defense for years to come.
Kaiser, meanwhile, is also a good shutdown defender as he blocks shots and can help kill penalties. That would be a big help to help Detroit win games. His age fits in nicely with the Red Wings’ young core.
Kaiser recorded 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 57 games last season.
What Would the Red Wings Have to Give Up?
Although Kaiser is young, he likely is a second or third-pairing defenseman in the NHL.
With Kaiser also not having a clear path to playing time, the Red Wings may not have to give up that much. Matthews believes Erik Gustafsson and a second-round pick would likely be enough to acquire the 23-year-old.
If the Hawks stalemate with Kaiser continues as camp nears, or if it even lasts into camp, if I’m Steve Yzerman, I’m picking up the phone, offering Erik Gustafsson and a second-round pick, and I’m bringing in Kaiser. If I have to pay a little more, I’ll have no problem doing so,” Matthews wrote.
“He’s also young enough that he won’t get in any prospect’s way, either,” Matthews added. “Now, if only the Wings could find a way to dump off Justin Holl’s contract in the process – probably wouldn’t be Chicago – and if they brought in someone like Kaiser and signed him, their outlook just got a lot better.”
Kaiser was selected in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks. He’s skated in 98 career games.
Detroit Could Upgrade on Defense
The Red Wings did sign Jacob Bernard-Docker and veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic this offseason to add depth to the blue line.
However, the defense could still use an upgrade, according to general manager Steve Yzerman.
“We have plenty of cap space to do a lot of different things,” Yzerman said. “The most important thing is to find players that fit. What we could use right now is a defenseman, a top four, and preferably a right shot. But it doesn’t have to be a right shot because we can move these guys around a little bit. But that would be our biggest potential need.”
With most of the free agents signed, if Detroit is going to add an impact defenseman, it would come through a trade.
Red Wings Urged to Acquire 23-Year-Old Defenseman in Intriguing Move