William Wallinder is running out of runway in Detroit, and this season feels like the one where the Red Wings will finally find out what they have in the 24-year-old defenseman.
The former second-round pick has yet to break through at the NHL level, but he’s now on a one-way, two-year deal with the Red Wings and in the mix for a spot on the bottom pair. The problem for Wallinder is that the path isn’t exactly clear. He’s up against Jacob Bernard-Docker, who just signed a multi-year deal, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Detroit’s top defensive prospect, for what amounts to the final spot on the roster.
That’s a tough climb. But Wallinder has something the others don’t: urgency.
Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now pointed to three traits that make Wallinder a strong NHL fit - consistency, his use of size and reach, and his hockey IQ, which all project well for a third-pairing role. The catch is offense, or more specifically, the lack of it. Wallinder put up 20 points in 66 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season, and that limited production is part of what could keep him from sticking.
Wallinder has said he doesn’t see himself as an offensive-minded defenseman, so his case is going to have to be built on clean, reliable work in his own end. He’s shown he can handle that at the AHL level, but he still hasn’t proven he can do it in the NHL. The two-year contract at least gives him a window to show he belongs.
There’s another wrinkle here, too: Wallinder’s deal is waiver eligible. If Detroit puts him on waivers, any of the other 31 NHL teams can claim him.
If he does make the roster, the most realistic path may be as the extra defenseman. That wouldn’t guarantee regular playing time, but it would keep him close enough to step in when injuries hit, which they inevitably do over the course of a season. Short of a standout preseason or training camp, though, his margin for error is slim.
And if Detroit can’t find a place for him, the idea of moving him elsewhere may start to make sense. Younger defensemen are always in demand around the league, and the source material points to the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken as possible fits. Both clubs could use a jolt on the blue line, and Wallinder could be that kind of player if a deal can be worked out.
With training camp only a few weeks away, Wallinder’s next step is right in front of him. Now it’s a matter of whether he can turn that urgency into a roster spot.
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Thomas is not the only name tied to the process, with Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg, along with in-house options Kris Draper and Sean Horcoff, also said to be in the mix. The bigger question is how the Red Wings want to structure the top of the hockey operations department, since they have not finalized that setup and could still go with both a director of hockey operations and a general manager. [Read more 🡒]
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The timing only makes the rest of the uncertainty feel heavier. Dylan Larkins trade request remains unresolved, and Simon Edvinsson is still unsigned as a restricted free agent, leaving Detroit with another important issue hanging in the balance as camp approaches. For a team trying to get its footing after a major leadership change, the list of unanswered questions is still long. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Still Command National Respect Despite Last Seasons Disappointment
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It is a notable sign of respect for a team that missed the playoffs but still remains part of the national conversation. Boston and Pittsburgh lead the way with 20 appearances apiece, while some clubs were left off the national schedule entirely, and that gap only makes Detroits placement stand out a little more as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]