3 rugged defensemen the Red Wings need to add before the trade deadline

The Detroit Red Wings should be looking to add a reliable defensive defenseman before the trade deadline; here are three viable alternatives.

With their outstanding play in 2024, the Detroit Red Wings have definitely established themselves as wild-card contenders. The Red Wings are just four points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, who presently hold third place in the Atlantic Division. With the postseason approaching, general manager Steve Yzerman should actively consider adding at the deadline rather than subtracting for the first time as Detroit’s GM.

Although head coach Derek Lalonde just stated (a few weeks ago) that if the Red Wings were to make a purchase before the deadline, acquiring a versatile forward would be at the top of his wish list. Lalonde said he’d like to add one more two-way forward capable of playing centre or wing.

Even with Lalonde’s ideas, I believe it is in Detroit’s best interests to acquire a dependable defensive defenseman who plays not only a hard style of hockey, but also with an edge and the ability to play second-pairing minutes. Detroit’s third pairing of Shayne Gostisbehere and Olli Maatta has frequently shown to be a weakness in five-on-five action, and Justin Holl does not appear to be in the team’s present plans. If Yzerman could find a way to trade Holl, even if it meant retaining half of his salary in any deal before the deadline, that would be a victory in itself.

I’ve discussed Chris Tanev several times in recent months, and while Detroit has not been directly linked to him (yet), this is the type of defender that Yzerman should keep an eye on.

Chris Tanev, 34, is frequently regarded as a gruff, courageous, tough defender who excels in defensive situations and is eager to block shots. He’s worn a ‘A’ at several points in his career and, by all accounts, is an excellent teammate. When Tanev smiles, you don’t see many teeth; this is the type of hockey player the Detroit Red Wings need before the playoffs. One of Jacob Markstrom’s masks features Tanev’s mouth as a tribute to his shot-blocking success.

Tanev, like the host of the Calgary Flames, is at the centre of most current trade talks as we approach the March 8th trade deadline. He is in the final year of his four-year, $18 million contract, and the Flames are looking to acquire a first-round pick in exchange for his services.