Trade Target: Defensemen
Yesterday we took a look at some of the forwards that may be available come February 27th. Today I would like to focus on some of the defensemen that may be available this year.
Many teams such as Chicago and Philadelphia will be looking to bulk up their D for a prolonged run in the playoffs. Could Detroit be in the market?
Click the jump to see the options
Detroit has been much more solid on defense this season. The additions of White and Commodore have proven to be smart moves. Kronwall, Ericsson and Kindl have stepped up to the plate. Babcock's new coaching staff have brought a fresh outlook to the game. And the team seems to have made a commitment to play better in their own zone.
That's not to say that there isn't room to improve. Ericsson has been looking much better, but is still prone to making bonehead plays that usually directly result in the opposing team scoring. Kindl is young and may not be ready to shoulder the load of a 5-6 defenseman in the grueling playoffs. Commodore has played sparingly and knows what it takes to win a cup, but is he the best option?
Let's take a look at some of the defenders that may or may not be an upgrade.
All stats and scouting reports provided by Hockey Forecaster These are in no particular order.
Bryce Salvador – New Jersey Devils
Age: 35
Cap Hit: $2.9M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 9
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
48 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
30 |
0 |
ASSETS: Plays it smooth and steady in the defensive zone. Can be a physical force and punish opponents with big body checks.
FLAWS: Isn't much of a factor in the offensive zone. Can struggle when lined up against speedy National Hockey League wingers.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Physical stay-at-home defenseman.
Johnny Oduya – Winnipeg Jets
Age: 30
Cap Hit: $3.5M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 5
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
49 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
28 |
0 |
ASSETS: Is a great skater with the instincts to limit the damage to a minimum in the defensive zone. Owns an infectious attitude and is a solid teammate. Can occasionally play a shutdown role.
FLAWS: Isn't a major offensive threat, nor is he big by National Hockey League standards. Also lacks the temperament to play with physical aggression on a consistent basis. Lacks consistency.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Mobile defensive defenseman.
Michal Rozsival – Phoenix Coyotes
Age: 33
Cap Hit: $5.0M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 212
Shoots: Right
Seasons: 10
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
22 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
8 |
0 |
ASSETS: Has a good combination of passing skills and hockey sense from the point. Is a good-sized defender with sound mobility.
FLAWS: Doesn't always play with optimum intensity. Should make better use of his 6-1, 212-pound frame, since he is at times a little too soft.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Savvy puck-moving defenseman.
Bryan Allen – Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 31
Cap Hit: $2.9M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 226
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 10
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
51 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
52 |
0 |
ASSETS: Possesses size and strength in spades, as well as better-than-average mobility when opposed against speedy forwards. Can play a shutdown role.
FLAWS: Injuries have hindered his performance. Also, his offensive ability is limited, since he hasn't put up big numbers at any level. Can take bad penalties.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Physical defensive defenseman.
Kyle Quincey – Colorado Avalanche
Age: 26
Cap Hit: $3.125M
Years Left: 0 (RFA)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 207
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 6
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
45 |
4 |
18 |
22 |
52 |
3 |
ASSETS: Displays all-around ability. Skates well and is adept at playing the point on the power play. Can log a ton of ice time and play opposite top forwards. At his best when he keeps his game simple
FLAWS: Doesn't always use his big frame to lean on opponents, which gives forwards too much comfort in the attacking zone when he's on the ice.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Inconsistent, yet talented defenseman.
Erik Johnson – Colorado Avalanche
Age: 23
Cap Hit: $2.6M
Years Left: 0 (RFA)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 232
Shoots: Right
Seasons: 3
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
45 |
1 |
18 |
19 |
13 |
0 |
ASSETS: Has a great shot from the point. Skates extremely well for a big man and has a mean streak that can rattle opposing forwards. Owns all-around upside.
FLAWS: Is still working on his positional skills, as he tends to leave the zone too early on occasion. Must be a more consistent presence and improve his defense.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Big-minute offensive defenseman with size and all-around upside.
Tobias Enstrom – Winnipeg Jets
Age: 27
Cap Hit: $3.75M
Years Left: 1
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 4
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
30 |
4 |
15 |
19 |
18 |
2 |
ASSETS: Possesses all the tools needed to run a good power play: Skating, passing skills, hockey sense and a decent shot. Is a smart defender who is capable of logging huge minutes.
FLAWS: His diminutive stature somewhat limits his effectiveness five on five at the NHL level. Can get overwhelmed physically, especially in the corners. Injuries are a concern.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Offensive big-minute defenseman.
Keith Ballard – Vancouver Canucks
Age: 29
Cap Hit: $4.2M
Years Left: 3
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 208
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 6
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
43 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
57 |
0 |
ASSETS: Is very confident in his ability to rush with the puck from the back end, as well as his propensity to throw open-ice hits. Displays some offensive upside.
FLAWS: Needs to continue to work on his defensive-zone coverage, as well as learn to pick his spots better when going for the big body check.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Inconsistent all-around defenseman.
Mark Streit – New York Islanders
Age: 34
Cap Hit: $4.1M
Years Left: 1
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 193
Shoots: Right
Seasons: 5
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
48 |
3 |
23 |
26 |
28 |
2 |
ASSETS: Has a booming shot and is capable of quarterbacking the point on the power play. Moves the puck swiftly up the ice. Owns plenty of veteran savvy.
FLAWS: Lacks ideal size for the blue-line position at the NHL level. Will at times cough up the puck in the defensive zone.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Power play quarterback and big-minute defenseman.
Ryan Suter – Nashville Predators
Age: 27
Cap Hit: $3.5M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 198
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 6
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
47 |
5 |
23 |
28 |
26 |
3 (1 SH) |
ASSETS: Possesses an excellent all-around game. Love to join the attack, and can rack up points on the power play, mainly due to a heavy point shot and pinpoint passing. Loves to hit people, and loves a heavy workload.
FLAWS: Will sometimes chase a big hit, which places himself out of defensive position.
CAREER POTENTIAL: All-around, big-minute defenseman.
Shea Weber – Nashville Predators
Age: 26
Cap Hit: $7.5M
Years Left: 0 (RFA)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 232
Shoots: Right
Seasons: 6
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
46 |
10 |
24 |
34 |
28 |
5 (2 SH) |
ASSETS: Has both the size and mean streak to keep skilled players honest. Excels in one-on-one situations, as he literally overpowers opponents. Can unleash a big-time point shot and log a lot of ice time. Has the ability to drop the gloves and is a born leader.
FLAWS: Must curb his propensity to run around the defensive zone in search of the big hit from time to time. Is still a little inconsistent in terms of playing the shutdown role. Will take a bad penalty once in a while.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Elite all-around defenseman with a big point shot and leadership skills.
Chris Campoli – Montreal Canadiens
Age: 27
Cap Hit: $1.75M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 6
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
13 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
ASSETS: Is mobile and polished when in possession of the puck. Can make up for his mistakes with his speed. Has some offensive ability.
FLAWS: Needs to work on his defensive-zone coverage, which is spotty at best. Struggles when he has to lay on the body, and can get manhandled in front of his own net.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Mobile defenseman with consistency issues.
Hal Gill – Montreal Canadiens
Age: 36
Cap Hit: $2.25M
Years Left: 0 (UFA)
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 241
Shoots: Left
Seasons: 13
|
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
PPG |
|
44 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
27 |
0 |
ASSETS: Is a great shot-blocker. Has tremendous size and reach. Excels on the penalty kill and in shutdown roles. Can log a lot of minutes and has pretty good hockey sense. Is also a team leader.
FLAWS: Has skating deficiencies that hurt his overall effectiveness, since he can get beat to the outside and struggles with his straightaway speed. Isn't much of an offensive threat.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Mammoth shutdown defenseman with plenty of savvy.
Do the Wings need another defender to solidify the back end? Weber and Suter are likely not going anywhere with the way the Preds are playing, and you can bet the Red Wings are that the last place David Poile would trade them to.
Not sure that the Wings need to upgrade the D either. But if so Suter would be the best deal for the money. Nashville won't move him though.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=614048 Update on Suter's contract and trade availability.
there are only a few players who are off limits or wont/cant be traded. weber isnt one of them. this isnt your dads NHL.
You know what you missed? The biggest downside to Keith Ballard- he likes to assassinate his own goalie. Jimmah needs to live, not die.
I think someone like Suter or Kyle Quincey might be a good option, too. Nobody can replace Lidstrom. But getting the player closest to his caliber is the best plan to me.
Shea Weber might be unrealistic, but look at what we might be losing. If Holland doesn't draw a top-tier defensive player like that, we could be playing the Montreal Canadians a lot more. Get my point?
Joe, watch yourself. And you might want to check out dumb and dumber, you'll see the reference I'm making.
Not unhappy with the D right now actually, looks to be solid if Kindl (and others) can work out their shakes. If there was any way to move E I would still be for it but I'm still pretty confident. Plus we'll have Smith next year. If we could bolster it up a bit then I don't see any harm provided the right deal is there, but in Kenny I trust.
Not too sure we need to upgrade on D either. However, if Suter is being moved (and I doubt he will with Nashville competing for the Division), then it may behove us to go after him now given that he may re-sign with whatever team acquires him.
What can Hal Gill do for us that Commie cant? Oduya is Swedish. Weird, right?
@Jordan_Reis Hahahaha, yeah I saw what you did there (although, I wish I hadn't, hahaha).
I don't think Gill is better than either. Kindl is the best of the bunch in my opinion. Hal Gill blows. He's slow, can't move the puck, and takes dumb penalties. Commie is at least a RHS and a bit more mobile.
If we are just talking for picks and no trades, Gill is not bad for his stay at home mentality and his patience with a young defense partner. Commie was the best stats wise of the 3 in this past game, Gill provided shutdown assistance and Kindl was -3 on the night. Kindl could stand to ripen some more although his stats are right with E52, but E52 needs to earn his keep. Im a fan of saving duckets until season's end, but if picks will get us good support then so be it.
Sean do you not realize that there's 1 in a million chance of that happening? Be realistic
3 Like
I just Hope that the Hawks make a really bad trade that totally screws them in the long run. @moorecha
I dont think its an upgrade scenario as much as it is supplementing the roster for the future. The WINGS have a great stable, but I think reinforcing the defense while Lidstrom is still playing would be paramount to keeping up the level of play on the back end. He wont be replaced, but for any player to learn from him all they can, would only help Kronner out. Lidstrom carries the load of three players at times. Thats an awesome load to pass on to the next guy. WINGS have to have options to see who steps up and shoulders that load.
@Josh Howard I agree with Weber not being a Wing. He's not even a UFA on July 1st for us to even take a run at him. I have always thought that Suter was a better fit for us anyway, but there's no chance of that either at least until July
@Jordan_Reis@Josh Howard As I would love to have Weber mainly because of his big punishing point shot; I think Suter is actually a better fit for our style of hockey. Also, just so you know Weber is an RFA come July. ;)
@Jordan_Reis@Josh Howard Oops, I misread...I was going through these quickly as I as at work ;) lol
Shea Weber is a pipe dream. I'm guessing we get a less known d-man that's good in our system and a forward to compliment what we have. Lowest man on the totem pole gets traded. It's that simple.
My take on this years deadline would be to trade for Ruutu and Hal Gill. Both could probably be had for picks.
They fill the small holes that the Wings are lacking. Imagine going into the playoffs with a Gill/Commodore pairing, and Ruutu adding grit to a line with Z and Fil. Yes roster space would need to me cleared, Emmerton probably doesn't have a future on this team and could be sent in part of the Ruutu deal, or possibly even waived with the chance he clears.
Both are UFA's at seasons end, which leaves the Wings in a good place come July 1st
The problem with the Gill/Commie pairing is E52. With his salary/NTC, unless we plan on giving a current (better than Kindl) defensemen up. [Lidstrom / White] , [Stuart / Kronwall] , [Ericsson / new_guy], with Kindl AND Commie in the press box. Someone has to go with a new guy coming in. Remember that Lidstrom, Stuart, and Commodore are all UFAs next season, unless we trade one of them (ok Commodore) to a team in a playoff spot, we will get nothing for them. White has obviously been doing great, and I don't see Ericsson waiving his NTC to leave the Wings. Kronwall aint goin nowheres - so Kindl. Is Kindl going to become Kyle Quincey?
@freakazoid0587@Jordan_Reis Yes, Kindl seems to be the low man on the D roster. That last game showed he was the albatross on the D's neck. There was plenty of blame to go around so im not saying it was his fault by any means, but limp wristed passes into the slot to break out of the zone didn't help relieve the pressure... but this all goes back to the thought that we could pick up Ruutu and Gil for picks only.
I agree Jordan, Ruutu and Gill are the safest (best/cheapest) deals to hit the deadline. All of the other defense options except Weber and Suter, I think would need some work in the off season with the WINGS to minimize the risk and maximize their usefulness on the roster.
