Growing up in metro Detroit, I'm a lifelong fan of the Detroit Red Wings. I've loved the Minnesota Wild since their incarnation, largely due to what I think is the best logo in professional sports - likely due to my bias towards the north woods. I've been dating a girl from Philly for over three years and thus have adopted a rooting interesting for the Flyers.
The Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, and Philadelphia Flyers. All in need of an impact defenseman. Along with at least half of the league.
1) It's obvious in Detroit. The Wings lost Lidstrom and Stuart and their defense has been the shell of its former self that many expected. Kyle Quincey's atrocious play has been the major surprise here. Quincey was acquired by the Wings to be a minute eater to replace Brad Stuart. Instead, he has proven to be incapable of consistent stretches of good play and simply has not been a fit. Meanwhile, Colaiacovo got injured (as expected), White got injured, Smith is a rookie, Lashoff needs more time in the AHL, Kindl and Huskins are bubble defensemen, and Ericsson is a second pairing D at his absolute best. This has really all caused Kronwall to shoulder a load that he just can't carry. The dude is a top pairing D, but not without another one at his side.
2) It's also obvious in Philadelphia. Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja are barely even bubble defensemen; while Schenn, Meszaros, and Coburn are better suited as second pairing D in my mind. Timmonen needs more help.
3) It may not be as obvious in Minnesota, as many fans seem more concerned with the trifecta of Granlund, Heatley, and Setoguchi. Of course, there's good reason for this. Granlund and Setoguchi have been awful in terms of puck possession. Granlund ought to be sent back to Houston, he needs more time to get back to his game after returning from injury. Setoguchi has to be trade bait at this point, though expecting much of a return for him will likely lead to disappointment. Heatley meanwhile continues a downward spiral which may lead to Minnesota buying him out.
4) But, Suter has struggled. Coach Mike Yeo is in a pickle, as only Suter and Gilbert are legitimate top four defensemen. Brodin has been impressive, and definitely belongs on the team. Jared Spurgeon was expected to be fine as a top four d, but he was really struggling before injury as you can see on the awesome stats site Behind the Net. Meanwhile, none of Scandella, Falk, or Prosser are anything more than bubble defensemen at this point.
5) I expect other teams looking for help on defense include Los Angeles, Buffalo, Carolina, and St. Louis at a minimum.
6) Ryan Whitney and Alex Goligoski were both recent healthy scratches. Ryan Whitney has really seen his career destroyed by injuries, and shouldn't be looked at as something more than a bottom pairing/power play guy. He's become very, very slow.
7) Goligoski however remains a strong option as a top four D with upside to be a top pairing guy. Considering that Dallas traded Neal for him, any team wanting him would need to put together a serious offer. I don't see any team doing that yet (though Goligoski is from Minnesota). Later in the month, I'd think that Detroit might be willing to put together an offer.
8) Detroit doesn't have any cap problems this year, but could be in a world of hurt this summer. Jimmy Howard, Valtteri Filppula, Damien Brunner, and Ian White are all UFAs this summer and are all due raises. Besides White, they're all looking at significant raises at that. I think Danny Cleary will be gone (also a UFA), but I still see a compliance buy out this summer with Kyle Quincey or Johan Franzen as targets.
9) A lot of people will laugh out my suggestion of buying out Franzen, and while it's admittedly unlikely, I don't think it's impossible. Franzen is already 33 and has 7! years left on his deal after this season. The guy has had injuries every year and plays a physical game. He also is among the weaker skaters in the league, and has never hit 30 goals in a single season. I don't see him being worth his cap hit within the next two years, and then if he retires the Wings are caught with part of his cap hit due to it being a back-diving deal.
10) Back to defensemen, I've got to think that teams willing to trade significant assets for a top-four guy should be calling Florida about Kulikov. After a tough contract negotiation and a slow start, it can't hurt to see if he is available and what it would take to get him.
11) Roberto Luogno is just a terrific story. In fact, I think Vancouver should really think hard about trading Schneider instead of Luongo. Schneider is younger with a better contract and will fetch a better return. He doesn't have a no-trade clause. He's never won a playoff series or even been the starter for a full season. This would have to be okay with Luongo, who asked for a trade, but I think it makes a lot of sense.
12) I'm really interested by Anaheim. They're off to a terrific start, and at this point one has to think they'll be in the playoff picture through the trade deadline. So what do they do if Getzlaf and Perry haven't signed extensions? That'll be a major story to watch, as losing either to free agency for nothing will likely result in Anaheim being basement dwellers for the foreseeable future.
13) A team needing a depth defenseman should look at Toronto's Mike Komisarek. I think the guy could be help on a third pairing and the PK still.
14) Apart from the guys I've listed, Keith Yandle is likely the other significant defenseman who could be available. I think he'll be the hardest to acquire though, as Phoenix is looking to win now.
15) Washington and Buffalo are both a mess and both have GMs who have been with the teams for over a decade. With Brian Burke being available, I really think one of these guys has to get the axe.
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