Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings Lose defenseman Dennis Cholowski to Seattle in Expansion Draft

Published

3 years ago

July 21, 2021

Dennis-Cholowski-Seattle-Kraken-Red-Wings

Red Wings defenseman Dennis Cholowski is heading to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft

Sportsnet’s Mark Specter is reporting that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Dennis Cholowski will be announced as a selection in the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft.

Cholowski was the Red Wings’ first round pick in 2016 and hasn’t developed the way the Red Wings hoped he would. Many fans hoped the Kraken would take Cholowski over Troy Stecher who has become a modest fan favorite. Stecher plays with energy and likes to move up into the offensive flow.

The full team, along with trades, will be announced tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN2

Cholowski’s name was the last name revealed on the Kraken’s draft list. Specter reported the Kraken couldn’t reach him all day. Cholowski was the player chosen by Detroit after he traded spots with the Arizona Coyotes in the first round. The Red Wings agreed to that because the Coyotes were willing to take Datsyuk’s contract after he left the NHL. The Coyotes used the Red Wings ‘ original draft spot to take Jakob Chychrun who has developed into a strong all-around defenseman.

Cholowski, 23, is an offensive defenseman and has demonstrated an offensive knack, but he has’t been assertive enough defensively to hold a job. Because the Cholowski is out of options, the Red Wings were going to give him a long look next season.

It was assumed the Red Wings were going to protect Cholowski, but that changed when the Red Wings acquired Nick Leddy. The Red Wings protected Filip Hronek, Leddy and Gustav Lindstrom on defense.

Here is Seattle’s team, based on media reports. T