Edited Jun. 7, 2021 at 11:16 a.m.
Quoting: Quillanrocks
Know what, you're right. I stand corrected. When making my original comment, all I did was a quick pass over Detroit's contracts and saw that they only had 2 defensemen signed on the main roster for next season. I didn't take the time to evaluate which players they may bring back, etc. or who might have a chance at sticking in the majors. Tough to keep a finger on the pulse of every team!
What I should have said is that I don't think Winnipeg should trade Niku and Beaulieu for a single 6th Round pick . . . that the return should be better. (but obviously not from the Red Wings!)
Thanks for admitting your mistake, it's a rarity here...
Detroit do need one or two veteran LD to tie them over until a couple of the prospects have matured but considering that the two players we do have are DeKeyser (with his bad back) and Cholowski (who is questionable defensively) those veterans need to be chosen very carefully. Adding marginal players at that position will only make matters worse.
There are several good options available in FA (Oleksiak and Del Zotto to name two), there is also the option to take on the contracts of Gostisbehere or Gardiner and get picks for it, they are both destined to be cap dumps, or Detroit could trade for Vince Dunn who would be a really good piece to get (Washington can't protect him and is looking to trade him).
All of those options would secure the defense for the few years it'll take for the newly signed good prospects to mature. With 4 bluechip LD prospects signed this year and two more still unsigned + a few longshots there is no worry about the future defense in Detroit, it is set for the next decade on both sides.
Winnipeg might find takers for those two defenders elsewhere but for Detroit they would be considered cap dumps and the price would have to be set accordingly.