Earlier this week Helene St. James did a short article of who the Red Wings could target. Her list was all defenseman, and was loaded with defenseman from the division. As it is very difficult to pull of a large trade inter-division (why Myers/Kane was out of conference), this should put more emphasis on defenseman in the Metropolitan division, as well as the Western Conference.
1. The first player the Red Wings could target is Jeff Petry. He is a young defenseman that has shown some potential, but has been put in a horrible situation in Edmonton with a very poor team, limiting his development. He could thrive with different coaching, and with better players around him, and at only 27 would be a potential long-term help as well when Kronwall decides to leave. According to Helene St. James he could most likely be had for a second-round draft selection, meaning no Mantha, Jurco, etc. in this potential deal.
2. Another option the Red Wings have is to acquire hometown kid James Wisniewski (from Canton, Michigan) from the Columbus Blue Jackets. While he does have an injury history, he has been a top defenseman for Columbus for years, and most importantly is a right handed shot. He is slowing down some with age, but on a team where he would likely be the third or fourth defenseman, he would not be as pressured, and would have a chance to help a contending team, instead of a Columbus team who has had trouble getting to the postseason, and winning there.
3. One name that has been brought up relatively recently in trade rumors is Andrej Sekera. He has played for the Sabres, and is now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metro division. He is a defensive defenseman, and likely wouldn't offer much in the way of point production, but he would help out in front of Howard, Mrazek, and Gustavsson.
4. While there are much younger options out on the market, one name that seems to fit the Red Wings history very well that seems to be available from the defensive end is Kimmo Timonen. Not only is he Scandanavian, he is also a long time veteran of the game, and would not cost much to acquire due to his age. He is coming off an injury, and is on a team that is on a Flyers team who could look to rebuild for next year with a draft pick.
5. A name that many analysts and trade rumor sites have connected the Red Wings to already is Zbynek Michalek. He is a big defenseman, who is extremely physical and great in his own zone. The Coyotes are looking to rebuild after a down season, and trading Michalek for a draft pick seems like a good way to g for the Coyotes.
6. Arguably the biggest name known to be on the market at this point is Mike Green of the Washington Capitals. It is debatable whether they actually would trade him, however, being close to clinching a playoff spot once again, but if the Capitals could get some NHL talent, as well as some young talent through a draft pick or prospect, it would make sense for Washington to trade him. For the Wings, he is a true offensive defenseman who could easily take Ericsson's slot on the first pair next to Kronwall, as he is a right handed shot.
7. Also on this list is a name the Red Wings have talked about adding for years. Keith Yandle has been brought up in offseason rumors for many years now, and it seems with the Coyotes nowhere close to making the playoffs this season that now would be the best time to trade him. He is a solid two-way defenseman, and would easily help on both sides of the ice. He is an aggressive player, and the Red Wings know him very well from their years playing the Coyotes in the playoffs out west.
8. The most intriguing name to be mentioned this offseason in trade rumors is Toronto Captain Dion Phanuef. He is most known for his time in Calgary with Jarome Iginla for being a big physical defenseman. He is starting to get up there in age, but he is still a very quality defenseman. He will take a lot of penalties, but the Red Wings have a solid enough powerplay to make up for it. The biggest drawback to Phaneuf is the price of the deal. With him being in divison-rival Toronto, who just acquired a prospect and first rounder for Franson, they would likely demand a package of one of the Red Wings top prospects, an NHL player, and a draft pick to ship their captain to 0ne of their biggest rivals, a deal Ken Holland is not likely to make.
9. A defenseman who must be included, even if it would take the largest package in history to get him, is Erik Karlsson. He is one of the best defenseman in the league, and he is on the struggling Senators team who has not been doing well this season. If the Senators get an overwhelming deal, they might move him. For the Wings, who are in the division, it might be much harder to do, but anything is possible with these two general managers who both want to get their fan bases excited. The Red Wings also happen to have one of the best prospect systems in the league, and are one of the teams who might best be able to afford the haul Ottawa would ask for Karlsson. One possible deal is Franzen, Pulkinnen, Ouellet, and a First Rounder for Karlsson and a conditional pick. He would be a huge upgrade to anyone except Kronwall on the back end, shoots right, and is still quite young. The best part? He's Swedish, and knows a lot of the Red Wings players already, especially Kronwall.
10. Finally, rounding out the Top 10 Red Wings Defensive Trade Targets is Luke Schenn. One site (http://redwingsnow.com/tradefree-agency/look-red-wings-best-trade-deadline-options) mentioned that he could be available for an NHL Defenseman and a Prospect from the Red Wings. It is also noted that they are shopping Brayden as well, and the Red Wings could make a push to get both of them. One offer that makes sense for the Wings would be Smith, Larkin and a 1st round selection for both Luke and Brayden Schenn.
Other defenseman that could be traded but are not likely include Methot, Ference, Gorges, Salvador, Phillips, or Myers or Bogosian (again).