Detroit Red Wings' Top 3 Trade Candidates At 2024 Deadline

The Detroit Red Wings have been playing very good hockey and have erased the question of if they are going to sell at the deadline. Instead, as they push for the top-three in their division, it appears as though they are going to be trying to make changes to their roster by moving players out just as much as bringing players in. Let's take a look at the top three trade candidates at the 2024 deadline for the Red Wings.

Justin Holl

The Red Wings loaded up on defense this past offseason and brought in a number of names. Justin Holl was one of them and although he was fairly solid at the beginning of the season, he has quickly fallen out of favour with the team and has been a healthy scratch for a lot of games. Holl has only played 35 games this season and is the odd man out. He is still under contract for two more seasons at $3.4 million AAV. Moving him would be more for removing a roster player rather than for the money, although it would help.

Shayne Gostisbehere

Shayne Gostisbehere has been a welcomed addition to the back-end providing offense. The problem may come with him being a UFA at the end of the season and needing stronger play in their own end. While the team wants to bring in someone tougher and stronger defensively, it may be a problem finding chemistry between the addition and Gostisbehere. At the very worst, he can be seen as their own rental that provides offense, but I understand if he's too much of a liability defensively and the team doesn't want that for the playoffs.

Olli Maatta

Olli Maatta sits right in the middle of Holl and Gostisbehere in terms of length of contract. He has been seen as a step up from Holl this season and only has one more year left, so if it comes to moving a roster defenseman out, Maatta might have to be the player that is easiest to move and makes the most sense. He is their sixth defenseman, so he would likely come out if there is an addition to the roster anyways. Moving a LD like him would also help clear space for Simon Edvinsson next season.