The Detroit Red Wings failed to make the playoffs for the ninth straight year and will likely be active in the offseason looking to improve their roster.
Detroit has some needs on defense, and NHL analyst Marco Rubin on FanSided believes the Red Wings should trade for Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“The Red Wings could use a defenseman. If they decide to go in on one, someone of Karlsson’s caliber could be a fit. Cap space is not a problem,” Rubin wrote. “They could take on his contract without needing Pittsburgh to retain any, although it would still be wise to negotiate them retaining some.
The Red Wings are a bubble playoff team, not a true Cup contender. This would be a consideration for Karlsson when deciding whether or not to waive his no-movement clause. Playing in Detroit would get him closer to the Cup than he is in Pittsburgh, but is it close enough? Karlsson would have the final say,” Rubin added.
The Swede would add much-needed offense to the Red Wings’ blue line and give Detroit another weapon alongside Moritz Seider on the blue.
Karlsson has two years left on his eight-year, $92 million deal and is set to earn $11.5 millionper season. Due to his contract, it likely won’t cost a lot to acquire the defenseman, and Detroit has ample cap room and prospects and picks to make a trade with the Penguins happen.
Red Wings Fail to Make Playoffs
Detroit was in the playoff chase but struggled in the second-half to miss the postseason again.
It was a disappointing year for the team, and captain Dylan Larkin says the year was frustrating for everyone.
I think this one is probably more frustrating with where we were at last year,” Larkin said. “This year, we felt like we had expectations to make the playoffs, and we were in a good spot, and then we ultimately didn’t make the playoffs.”
Red Wings coach Todd McLellan, meanwhile, was also disappointed with the outcome but does think there are positives going forward.
