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Three players the Detroit Red Wings should move to make room for Larkin

By Ash Thompson

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 24, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Henrik Zetterberg
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 24, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Henrik Zetterberg /
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NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 27: New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri #21 is hit into the boards by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson #52 during the second period at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 27: New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri #21 is hit into the boards by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson #52 during the second period at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Ericsson

Jonathan Ericsson has two seasons left on his deal, and that makes him harder to move than Kronwall. He does, however, only have a 19 team no-trade list, which leaves 12 teams as options for the Wings.

This is another relic of the old days that needs to be sent out to pasture. Even if the Red Wings need to retain salary, Ericcson is just standing on the way of younger guys that could help the rebuild at this point. He may be a better option this season than some of the Red Wings young prospects, but this season doesn’t matter.

What matters is developing those young prospects. The Wings have four other veteran defensemen to log minutes. They need to fill their third pair and number seven spot with some young guns.

The Grand Rapids Griffins have players like Joe Hicketts looking to move up. He is not going to eat a great number of minutes at the NHL level, but he needs to get more than a five-game look. A third pairing role with sheltered minutes should be the next step for him. Erricson and Kronwall are movable pieces that open up such a role.

The Red Wings need to make something happen to get the Larkin deal done. The team and player both want it to happen, but until at least one of these contracts is out of the way, there is no chance.

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