The Detroit Red Wings have been linked to adding another defenseman, and they will likely do so by trade.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Red Wings acquiring Ian Cole from the Utah Mammoth in an intriguing swap.
Red Wings acquire:
- Ian Cole
- 2026 fourth-round pick
Mammoth acquire:
The proposed deal would be an intriguing move as Detroit adds a veteran defenseman to help stabilize the blue line, while Utah would add a young forward who doesn’t have a clear role with the Red Wings.
The Red Wings would acquire Cole, who signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal to return to Utah. The 36-year-old would add some veteran depth to Detroit’s blue line and be a good second-pairing defenseman. Cole plays well in his own end and can move the puck well, which is a benefit and can lead to more offense. He recorded 1 goal and 16 assists for 17 points in 82 games. He’s skated in 908 career games.
The Red Wings would also get a mid-round pick to even the trade, while Detroit can also use it as a trade chip later on in the season.
In return, Detroit would give up Berggren, who has struggled to fit in with the Red Wings. Berggren signed a one-year, $1.8 million extension with Detroit and is an RFA at the end of the year. He could be a middle-six forward for the Mammoth and add some more offense. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 75 games last season.
Red Wings Expected to Move on From Berggren
Detroit selected Berggren in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, and he was expected to be an impact forward.
However, Berggren has struggled to produce and be an everyday player for the Red Wings. With that, Red Wings analyst Rob Couch of NHLTradeRumors expects Detroit to part ways with Berggren.
“Jonatan Berggren has time and time again not been given a proper opportunity with the Red Wings,” Couch wrote. “They have seemingly wasted his developmental years in the NHL. He’s projected to play on the fourth line this season, which will hurt him even more.
“He had a strong showing in the NHL as a rookie in 2022-23 and then hasn’t been given the opportunity to perform again like he had and the Red Wings are still out of a playoff spot. He is now 25 years old and on a one-year deal where he is a RFA after the season. I think Detroit will end up trading him to a team that will make more use of him,” Couch added.
Berggren has skated in 154 career games, all with Detroit.
Detroit Has Improved on Defense
The Red Wings had some need for defensive help, and Detroit did make two additions this offseason.
The Red Wings signed young defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a one-year deal, while veteran Travis Hamonic also signed. Both will add some much-needed depth to the blue line.
“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.”
The Red Wings still have nearly $12 million in cap space.
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