Red Wings Need Some D-men
The loss of Stuart and Lidstrom further accentuates the need for defenseman — be it through trade or more likely free agency — in the next several weeks.
Holland said he had brief discussions with other general managers at the GM meetings two weeks ago, but nothing interested him.
Players such as Ryan Suter (Nashville), Matt Carle (Philadelphia), Barret Jackman (St. Louis) and Dennis Wideman (Washington) are potential unrestricted free agents that will attract the most attention, with Suter the undisputed No. 1 target of teams.
There’s also Justin Schultz, an Anaheim draft pick who has gone unsigned. Schultz will become an unrestricted free agent later this month and will attract a lot of interest — the Wings included.
“We’ll be active,” Holland said. “We’ve lost two quality defensemen.”
Stuart played in 81 games last season, scoring 21 points (six goals, 15 assists), while averaging 21 minutes, 3 seconds of ice time. He had one assist in the five-game playoff series to Nashville.
Murray is a 6-foot-2, 218-pound center who split time between the Sharks and the organization’s minor league affiliate Worcester last season. Murray can also become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but it’s not certain the Wings will aggressively work to re-sign him.
With the Sharks Murray, 30, played in 39 games with four points (one goal, three assists), while averaging 7:42 of ice time. He played in 10 games with Worcester, scoring three points (two goals, one assist).