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May I have this dance? Red Wings looking for a trade partner at the draft.

June 22, 2011, 4:49 PM ET [ Comments]
Mark Spizzirri
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
“There’s a lot of rumors—we’re going to explore ways (to improve) on the trade front. We want to be active, we do want to make moves to our team, some additions to our team. We’re open-minded going in. The challenge is finding a seller looking to shed salary on defense during a time in which most teams are looking to bolster their defense. ---Ken Holland

Although the Wings most likely will dip into the UFA market come July 1st, Ken Holland has rarely shown a knack for overpaying for free agents during the salary cap era. One of his rare splashes/indulgences happened to be his Brian Rafalski signing four years ago. In contrast to Holland's past practice, it goes without saying that if Detroit wants to acquire one of the more prominent rearguards available, they will likely have to pay more than they would prefer spending. Whether it be Christian Ehrhoff, Kevin Bieksa, James Wisniewski or Joni Pitkanen, the Red Wings will likely not be receiving any sort of discount in order to secure the services of one of these players.

As a result, Holland's made it clear that perhaps the better route is to go is to scour each team's roster and target a defenseman they feel will be a good fit for their club and might also be a better fit within the team's salary structure. Sure you might have to part with some assets to make such a deal work, but it also might have the club avoid getting into a contract that it will regret in a couple years time.

Thus, with that quote above firmly entrenched into our minds, it's time to examine what NHL teams might meet Ken Holland's criteria, possibly becoming a viable trade partner this weekend in Minneapolis-St Paul during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

PHILADELPHIA - Given today's news about the likely agreement in principal of a major deal between the Flyers and Ilya Bryzgalov for approximately $50 million over 7 years, it would put the current Flyer roster over the new $64 million salary cap for 2011-2012. Regardless of whether these reports are true or not, there have been all sorts of speculation regarding the Flyers and trade rumors involving forwards Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Scott Hartnell and Kris Versteeg. However, there are also trade options for the Flyers on the backend. Most teams will be scared off by the large cap hits of Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen.

However, the trio of Andrej Meszaros ($4 million thru 2013-2014), Matt Carle ($3.44 million and a UFA next summer) and Braydon Coburn ($3.2 million and UFA next summer) could garner some interest and help the Flyers out of the salary cap issues they face. All three are in their mid-twenties and both Carle and Meszaros are good offensively. Of the trio above, I think the Wings would have the most interest in Meszaros, a 25-yr old Slovakian with six years of NHL experience already and locked up to a decent cap figure for the next three seasons. An added bonus for Detroit in dealing with Philly is the fact the Flyers would likely be looking for prospects and draft picks in return, meaning the Wings roster would go unscathed in such a deal.

WINNIPEG - The franchise formerly known as the "Thrashers" are in a situation where everyone knows they won't spend anywhere near the $64 million cap ceiling. In reality, they are more likely to spend somewhere near the cap floor of around $48 million. Winnipeg has three rearguards currently signed that eat up $13.45 million: Dustin Byfuglien ($5.2 million thru 2015-16), Ron Hainsey ($4.5 million thru 2012-13) and Tobias Enstrom ($3.75 million thru 2012-13). In addition, Winnipeg is hoping to re-sign RFA Zach Bogosian, a veteran of three seasons at 21 and was the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Of the names above, I believe Winnipeg is likely trying to move Hainsey, but the Wings and other teams are likely hoping to acquire Enstrom or Bogosian. Enstrom is only 26, but becomes a UFA at the end of his contract and will likely receive a hike from his current $3.75 million deal. This might result in Winnipeg listening to offers for him, whether that be now, throughout the season or next summer.

CALGARY - When Mark Giordano signed a 4 year, $16 million contract last season, many observers felt it was a great signing by the Flames to secure arguably their best defender at a reasonable cap number. The Flames have the enigmatic Jay Bouwmeester at the top of their pay structure at $6.68 million for three more seasons. "J-Bo" is an intriguing option for the Wings as I believe his style of play and fluid skating style would be an excellent fit with the Red Wings. However, that cap number likely would scare Holland away from making a move with Calgary, as it would upset his team's pay structure, especially with both Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart up for renewal next summer.

Perhaps another option could be Robyn Regehr ($4.02 million thru 2012-13) or Cory Sarich ($3.6 million for one season). Both of these rearguards are true defenders and although I'm sure Detroit would love to have one of these two to solidify the #5 d-man spot in Detroit, it's doubtful Holland would spend that much on such a luxury.

WASHINGTON - Mike Green ($5.25 million and RFA next summer) or Dennis Wideman could be available ($3.94 million and UFA). Both are right-handed offensive defensemen that could play the role of Rafalski well. Green had a difficult year due to concussion concerns which might scare off potential suitors. In addition, the Caps might feel that John Carlson will only continue to improve and be able to fill Green's shoes on the point of the Caps' power-play. In the end, I don't foresee the Caps as being a likely trade partner for the Wings.

CHICAGO - Brian Campbell is a perfect example of a player that would likely be an ideal fit for this Red Wings team, if he made about $3 million less per season. The Hawks are begging anyone to take Campbell off their hands given the fact Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have surpassed Campbell as the top two d-man in Chicago. Regardless, Campbell's puck-moving ability and strong skating skills are eerily similar to what Rafalski brought to the table when he arrived in Detroit. Yet, at a salary of just over $7.1 million per year for another five seasons, there is a good chance Chicago will not find someone to bite on Campbell.

VANCOUVER - The whole Canuck situation is likely dependant on whether they can re-sign Kevin Bieksa and/or Christian Ehrhoff prior to July 1st. If not, we can be certain Detroit will be talking with them. However, the Canucks also have a couple of other rearguards that team's might take a chance on acquiring. Alexander Edler had a great playoff run for the Canucks and isn't going anywhere at his reasonable cap hit of $3.25 million for another two seasons. However, if Vancouver do re-sign Bieksa and Ehrhoff, it will be extremely difficult for Vancouver to maintain both Dan Hamhuis ($4.5 million for 5 seasons) and Keith Ballard ($4.2 million for 4 seasons). In addition, Hamhuis has a no-movement clause.

The likely scenario is Vancouver signs only one of Bieksa/Ehrhoff unless they can find a buyer of Ballard prior to July 1st. Considering Ballard was a healthy scratch during the playoffs including the final three games against Boston, his value is at an all-time low. IF the Red Wings feel he would be a good fit in Detroit, he can probably be had for much less than he's worth. However, it is a calculated risk and a heavy financial burden to take on given the question marks surround Ballard after incurring several injuries this past season.

TAMPA BAY - The odds are Detroit will look into Eric Brewer if he hits the open market on July 1st. He is likely Detroit's first choice when they look over Tampa's roster. Given the Lightning and Stevie Y need to re-sign a boatload of forwards including Steven Stamkos, Teddy Purcell, Sean Bergenheim and potentially re-sign UFA Simon Gagne, it may leave the Lightning looking to move some defensemen. Mathias Ohlund ($3.61 million thru 2015-16) and Pavel Kubina ($3.85 million and a UFA next summer) are the most likely possibilities. Not sure if the Red Wings will have interest....likely not.

LOS ANGELES - With the Kings looking to sign RFADrew Doughty to a long-term contract, and with good young talent in the system waiting in the wings (Voynov, Martinez, Hickey, Deslauriers, Forbort) perhaps Jack Johnson ($4.35 million for 7 seasons), Rob Scuderi ($3.4 thru 2012-13) and Willie Mitchell ($3.5 million and UFA next summer) could be had for the right price.

It's well known that Johnson has local ties to the area given the fact he played his college hockey at Michigan. He's well regarded as a solid two-way defenseman. However, it's a bit concerning when you look over his stat line and notice he's been L.A. worst player in plus/minus the past 3 seasons. In stark contrast, Doughty has been near the top of team's listing. The length of Johnson's contract would be a bit of a concern, although given his age (24), it's much less of a worry than other long-term deals.

Nevertheless, you have to believe he'd be a nice fit in Detroit and could prosper playing under Mike Babcock and in the Red Wings system.

The bigger question is what would it take to acquire some of these blueliners. In all likelihood, many of these solid rearguards (Meszaros, Enstrom, Johnson) would likely require a package involving Valteri Filppula and prospects/draft picks.

Only time will tell if Holland is able to partner up this weekend and find the defenseman he is looking for at the right price. But in the end, if Holland is able to get the guy he wants at a reasonable price, he will be more than willing to part with a player like Filppula and a solid prospect in order to make it happen.

************************************************************************

Best of luck to Nicklas Lidstrom (Norris, Lady Byng) and Pavel Datsyuk (Selke) tonight in Las Vegas as they attempt to collect some more NHL trophy hardware.

For the record, I think the Red Wings will come up empty handed for a change. I'm picking Ryan Kesler to win the Selke Trophy, Martin St. Louis to win the Lady Byng and Zdeno Chara to win the Norris Trophy.


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