The Hockey Writers’ Tom Mitsos already touched on how the Detroit Red Wings acquired LW Erik Cole and a conditional 2015 third-round pick from the Dallas Stars in exchange for prospects Mattias Backman, Mattias Janmark and a 2015 second-round pick. But let’s take a deeper look at Cole as a Red Wing.
While Cole isn’t considered a huge asset to many, he is to me. More importantly, the Wings brought him in without jeopardizing their future plans.
A Role For Cole
Erik Cole is a better Justin Abdelkader. Even at the age of 36, Cole brings speed and physicality to the Wings’ lineup. Cole is the type of player Red Wings coach Mike Babcock loves, hardworking, physical and smart. But instead of replacing Abdelkader with Cole, Babcock has opted to play them together with Henrik Zetterberg in the middle.
Cole skating with Zetterberg and Abdelkader.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) March 3, 2015
In 54 games this season, Abdelkader has posted 31 points (13 G, 18 A), a +6 rating and 125 hits. In 57 games for Cole, he has posted 33 points (18 G, 15 A), a +4 rating (which led Dallas) and 116 hits. Not bad numbers for a 36-year-old not named Pavel Datsyuk, Cole will almost certainly become Detroit’s 4th 20-goal scorer this season.
Cole also brings a solid net front presence, displayed multiple times in the video below.
Currently in his 15th NHL season and a veteran of 881 games, Cole has posted 526 points (262 G, 264 A) splitting tike between the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars.
Abdelkader is in his 8th NHL season (all with Detroit), where he has played 381 games and recorded 119 points (51 G, 68 A). This season, Abdelkader is having a career-year by posting career-high 13 goals and tying his career-high of 18 assists, all in just 54 games.
Abby has also potted 5 PPG this season, a large increase to just the one he has across his previous seven seasons. He has found a new net-front presence on Detroit’s powerplay and he is a favorite of Babcock’s for his hard work and perseverance.
Dallas’ Dividends
Stars GM, Jim Nill, who spent 19 years in Detroit and at least 15 of them as Ken Holland’s assistant GM, said he is very aware of both Backman and Janmark and is excited to see their development since he left for Dallas last summer.
Neither Backman nor Janmark have played in an NHL game. The 22-year-old Backman played in 18 games (a healthy scratch for seven others) with Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins this season before he bolted for Linkoping of the Swedish Hockey League (AKA the Swedish Elite League).
During his 18 games under Griffins coach Jeff Blashill, Backman recorded just four assists to go along with a -3 rating. He has recorded 16 points (4 G, 12 A) in 23 games with Linkoping since returning to his native land.
Janmark, also 22, and also currently playing in the Swedish Hockey League for Frolunda, has recorded 36 points (13 G, 23 A) with a +11 rating in 54 games.
From a Stars fan, the Wings are sooooo lucky to have Cole. He was definitely one of our best. The Wings are getting an extremely explosive player in terms of speed, often generating scoring chances. He was also our top hitter. Not to mention how classy Cole is! The Wings just net an awesome player. sad to see him go. Good luck Cole with your new team!
Wow, you’ve really missed the point of this trade. Erik Cole is first and foremost a replacement for Franzen, a big bodied winger who can net some goals. He’s absolutely nothing like Abdelkader. Abby is a bottom 6er that Babs has tried to shoehorn into a top 6 role… and he’s actually filled a role from time to time.. mostly as a net front presence… But putting Cole on the same line as Abby and Z makes it clear that Abby will be the net front guy and Cole is expected to pot in goals like Franzen.
Cole has ZERO similarities to Franzen in their games. ZERO. Completely different type of player.
No one said they’re similar. But they’re both big bodied right wingers who are expected to score goals. That much is obvious.
I wasn’t implying that Cole was here to replace Abdelkader, I was comparing their styles of play and they both can bring a net front presence. Yes, Abdelakder will be the net front presence and yes, Cole is expected to score here without hanging around the crease, but that doesn’t make him Franzen. He wasn’t brought in to necessarily replace Franzen either, as Holland has already said he expects the Mule back before the end of these season. He was brought in because Babcock loves his “everydayers” like Abby and Cole and the Wings have a legitimate shot at the Cup this year so they bulked up with Cole bringing extra grit for the playoffs.
As a Dallas fan, I was sorry to see Erik go, although I thought it might happen. Enjoyed his game. Wish him luck….but not against his old team.
Nooooooo…Justin Abdelkader is the ONLY Abdelkader of the Wings, and Cole is the ONLY Cole of the Wings.
Sounds like an excellent trade. Here’s hoping there is no future Weiss factor with Cole.
Easiest way to explain Cole to Wings fans who aren’t familiar with him, Abbie but without the penalties.