The Detroit Red Wings took a step toward alleviating a log-jam of defensemen with the Grand Rapids Griffins by trading Robbie Russo to the Arizona Coyotes Sunday for a conditional seventh round pick in 2019.
The Griffins have seven defensemen on NHL contracts for next season (Dennis Cholowski, Joe Hicketts, Filip Hronek, Brian Lashoff, Dylan McIlrath, Vili Saarijarvi, Libor Sulak), one of whom the Red Wings hope makes their roster (Hronek). They also have Dan Renouf, a restricted free agent.
Russo, 25, appeared in 19 games with the Red Wings near the end of the 2016-17 season (no points, two penalty minutes).