The Detroit Red Wings are aiming for a playoff spot in the 2024-25 NHL season, and one proposed trade suggests they could strengthen their defense.
According to PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a user has suggested a trade that would see the Red Wings acquiring defenseman Adam Larsson from the Seattle Kraken. In this proposed deal, Detroit would send defenseman Justin Holl, top prospect Marco Kasper, and a 2025 third-round pick to Seattle.
Larsson, a former fourth overall pick from the 2011 NHL Draft, is in the last year of his four-year, $16 million contract. He could become Detroit’s second-pairing right-shot defenseman behind Moritz Seider, who is a restricted free agent still without a contract. Larsson would also serve as a backup plan in case Seider’s deal isn’t finalized before the season starts. Last season, Larsson played 81 games for the Kraken, scoring 4 goals and adding 14 assists for 18 points. Over his career, he has appeared in 848 games with 45 goals and 168 assists for 213 points.
In return, the Kraken would receive Holl, who could fill the void left by Larsson in Seattle’s third defense pairing. Holl has two years remaining on his three-year, $10.2 million contract but was occasionally a healthy scratch last season. The trade’s highlight is Kasper, a 20-year-old center drafted eighth overall in 2022. Last season in the AHL, he recorded 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points and may be ready for NHL action soon.
Detroit signed Holl on July 1, 2023, with hopes that he would strengthen their blue line. However, his performance in his first season with the Red Wings was underwhelming, with just 38 games played, 0 goals, and 5 assists. Despite speculation that Holl could be bought out, the team decided to retain him. NHL analyst Max Bultman suggests that if Holl continues to underperform and remains a healthy scratch, Detroit might consider a buyout in the summer of 2025.
Holl has played 323 NHL games, scoring 11 goals and 76 assists for 87 points.
Following a missed playoff berth in the 2023-24 season, the Kraken were active in the offseason, signing defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year, $50 million contract and forward Chandler Stephenson to a $43.75 million deal. Both players bring Stanley Cup experience and leadership to the team. General Manager Ron Francis expressed enthusiasm about adding them to the roster.
Seattle’s 2024-25 NHL season will kick off at home on October 8 against the St. Louis Blues.
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