With the Detroit Red Wings missing out on signing Ryan Suter, their search for more depth on defense is now taking them in a different direction. They could simply add a veteran free agent or try to trade for somebody like Keith Yandle or Jay Bouwmeester. They haven't been linked to Yandle just yet, but The Fourth Period reports that they have inquired about Bouwmeester's availability, as have the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers.
While Bouwmeester would be an expensive addition given his $6.68 million cap hit, he is only under contract for two more seasons. I'm sure the Red Wings would like to do better than trying to trade for Bouwmeester, but right now there isn't exactly a whole lot out there. With a need still existing on defense, the Red Wings may be forced to settle for trying to trade for somebody like Bouwmeester.
Ken Holland on #RedWings plans: "We'd like to add one more experienced defenseman. See what the next two months brings."
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) July 9, 2012
The Red Wings don't appear to be in a big rush now that the initial wave of free agency has passed. They aren't going to panic in order to fill their needs, but they will have to fill them at some point this summer.
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