The Daily: Why Red Wings May Not Trade Gustafsson; Rakell Had Surgery

Respected hockey insider Elliott Friedman has reported that the Red Wings are looking to move defenseman Erik Gustafsson who is currently playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

But there are reasons that may not happen. We are hearing that teams don’t want to give up anything except a lower round draft pick to get Gustafsson. If that is true, the Red Wings could decide to keep him in Grand Rapids to see what happens.

GM Steve Yzerman only has seven defensemen currently on the Red Wings’ roster and it seems likely they will suffer an injury at some point. Gustafsson has 515 games of NHL experience. Plus, he is in the final season of his contract making $2 million. That’s less than the average NHL salary. Also, the Red Wings have almost $12 million in cap space. There is no immediate need to create more space.

The only good argument for trading Gustafsson immediately is to give him a chance to get back to the NHL.

Meanwhile, William Wallinder and Antti Tuomisto are currently the only healthy draft picks playing defenseman in Grand Rapids. Shai Buium is still on the injured list. Neither Gustaffson or Justin Holl are blocking anyone at the moment. In fact, Holl and Gustafsson have helped the Griffins start 5-0. At the AHL level, where players have more time to make a play, their abilities pay off.

There’s an argument that can be made to keep Gustafsson and see what develops. If other teams have injuries, maybe the offer will improve slightly.  Or, we might see either or both of them again in Detroit.

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Red Wings Extra

Detroit Red Wings 2025 first round pick Carter Bear (13th overall), coming off last season’s major Achilles injury, has three goals and five points in his first seven games with the Everett Silvertips. Bear scored Sunday in a 5-2 win against the Spokane Chiefs.

Carter Bear(1st round’25)
1 Goal +1 4PIM 2 SOG 1/1 FOW
in a 5-2 win#LGRW pic.twitter.com/LsnRAVualk

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 27, 2025

Detroit Hockey Now

Boston: Here we go again: Hampus Lindholm is on the injured reserve. Boston Bruins.

Florida: Joel Quenneville is coming back to Florida as the coach of the Anaheim Ducks. George Richards looks at how he is remembered by Florida fans. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: Devils suffer another crucial injury with Brett Pesce now sidelined. New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: The Flyers goalie competition is still ongoing, according PHN’s William James. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Swedish forward Rickard Rakell will be out six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left hand. The Red Wings were linked to Rakell trade rumors this summer. Pittsburgh Penguins.  

San Jose: Sheng Peng looks at whether Macklin Celebrini is making the transition from rookie to superstar. San Jose Sharks.