The Detroit Red Wings added a versatile forward in Oskar Sundqvist who could turn out to be a solid secondary player.
Sundqvist, along with defenseman Jake Walman and a 2023 second-round pick, were acquired at Monday’s trade deadline in the deal that sent Nick Leddy to the St. Louis Blues.
“It was an opportunity to bring in a bigger body that plays on the right side, that is a good penalty killer, that we felt will improve us,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “He really fit a need for us, particularly on right wing and the size and the ability to kill penalties.”
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The trade also fills a void after the Wings sent versatile forward Vladislav Namestnikov to the Dallas Stars for a 2024 fourth-round pick, because Sundqvist gives the Wings an experienced player who can play up and down the lineup.
He also brings leadership in the same vein as Marc Staal and Sam Gagner. Sundqvist won the Stanley Cup in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and in 2019 with the Blues.
“We’ve got rave reviews on his character and his popularity in the locker room in St. Louis,” Yzerman said. “I’m very happy to hear that, much like the addition of Marc Staal to our locker room — veterans that have been around that are good guys, that can really create a good atmosphere or help build a good atmosphere in the locker room.”
Sundqvist, 27, is under contract through 2022-23 at a $2.75 million salary cap hit, just a notch above Namestnikov’s $2 million hit. Sundqvist projects to be a good secondary rebuild player, someone who can help mentor younger players as the Wings try to improve their competitiveness.
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