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Red Wings Sign 900-Game NHL Veteran, Likely Closes Door on Erik Karlsson Trade
Photo credit: Amy Irvin / Hockey Writers
The Detroit Red Wings likely closed the door on an Erik Karlsson trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins by signing a 900-game NHL veteran yesterday.
For much of the offseason, speculation had linked Detroit and Pittsburgh in discussions involving Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
Multiple reports suggested that the Red Wings could be a landing spot for Karlsson, with the Penguins looking to move on from the star defenseman and his hefty contract.
The idea of adding a high-end, offensive blueliner like Karlsson was highly debated by fans, but the likelihood of such a blockbuster deal now appears minimal.
That's because Detroit addressed its blue line needs through a different route, announcing the signing of veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic.
Erik Karlsson Unlikely To Get Traded To Detroit After Red Wings Sign Defenseman
The 34-year-old blueliner joins the Red Wings on a one-year contract worth $1 million AAV, bringing experience, physicality, and defensive reliability at a fraction of Karlsson's cost.
Hamonic spent the last two seasons with the Ottawa Senators and appeared in 59 games in 2024-25. He scored only seven points but blocked 92 shots and had 73 hits while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per night.
His role in Ottawa was primarily defensive, and he was frequently used on the penalty kill.
Over his 900 NHL games with the Islanders, Flames, Canucks, and Senators, Hamonic totaled 242 career points and 774 penalty minutes.
Of course, Hamonic is no Erik Karlsson. The 2023 Norris winner remains one of the league's most dynamic offensive defensemen, and any comparison between the two would be unfair.
But while Karlsson's acquisition would have required significant assets and cap space, Hamonic cost Detroit just $1 million and no draft picks.
Fans have a right to feel underwhelmed given the rumors of a superstar arrival, but Hamonic's addition still fills a need. However, other deals between the two teams could still happen.
As for Karlsson, it'll be interesting to see if he ends up traded this summer, during the season, or remains in Pittsburgh.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 16 | 23 ANSWERS Red Wings Sign 900-Game NHL Veteran, Likely Closes Door on Erik Karlsson Trade Do you think Erik Karlsson will spend the rest of the season with the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 11 | 47.8 % |
| No | 12 | 52.2 % |
| List of polls | ||