NHL Rumors: Red Wings May Not Trade Erik Gustafsson For One Reason

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson reacts during 2025 game.

The Erik Gustafsson trade chatter is real, but there is one big reason it may not happen right now. 

The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly receiving only lower-round draft-pick offers for the veteran defenseman, and that price is not moving the needle. With no urgency to clear cap space and a plausible need for injury insurance, Detroit can simply keep Gustafsson with the Grand Rapids Griffins and wait.

Low-pick offers make an Erik Gustafsson trade unlikely

At a $2 million cap hit in the final year of his deal, Gustafsson is affordable depth with 500-plus NHL games and recent positive AHL impact. If the market is offering only a late pick, the Red Wings gain more value by holding him as a ready call-up. 

Waiting also preserves optionality. An injury on another club could improve offers, and an injury in Detroit would make his recall the easy internal solution.

Red Wings can afford patience with cap space and depth

Cap space is not a problem for Detroit, so there is no financial pressure to move him. The current NHL roster carries only seven defensemen, and organizational injuries can change needs quickly. 

The only immediate case to trade him would be to give Gustafsson an NHL shot elsewhere, but from a team-building standpoint the smarter move is to wait for a better market or keep him as reliable depth for the stretch.

Photo Credit: Brett Holmes-Imagn Images

Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | MLB Rumors