Rumor: Trade imminent for Wings top offensive defenseman

Surprinsgly, the Detroit Red Wings are having a much better start to the 2017-18 than first anticipated. The regular calendar has just started however, and general manager Ken Holland is still looking to improve the team's future and build a strong team for years to come, so they can once again be a Cup contender. 

According to Fanragsports, Holland is making sure that other NHL clubs are aware that top offensive defenseman Mike Green is his prime trade bait. 

"All of this points out that Detroit holds one of this year’s top rental defensemen — if not one of the top rental players. The return on Green could be outstanding, especially if Holland is willing to move him earlier than February, thus giving the other team even more bang for whatever it is willing to send the Red Wings’ way."

The Red Wings, who are already tight on cap space, have no chance of offering Green an extension this summer and won't lose him to nothing. Riley Sheahan, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Petr Mrazek and Martin Frk are all set to get contracts over the summer and Green’s $6 million cap hit is the only significant money coming off the books.

Several teams, like the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals are looking for quality defensemen. The Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets could also look to add a top-four defender. 

"If a team comes knocking about Green in the coming months and the offer is substantial, there should be no hesitation to pull the trigger," Franklin Steele writes. 

It will go down before the Trade Deadline!