The Detroit Red Wings currently sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division but after dropping two in a row, are in danger of falling down the standings. As they try to get back on track, they’ll have to compete without depth defenseman Robert Hagg, who was placed on injured reserve today. In his place, Steven Kampfer has been recalled from the minor leagues.
This is exactly why the Red Wings signed Kampfer in the offseason, bringing him back from a year spent playing in the KHL. The U.S. Olympian has more than 230 games of NHL experience and can essentially step directly into a third-pairing role if needed. Now 34, Kampfer last appeared in the NHL during the 2020-21 season as a member of the Boston Bruins. He played in 20 games that year, recording five points and averaging nearly 17 minutes a night. Through 19 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the right-shot defenseman has ten points.
Hagg, meanwhile, is having a season to forget so far, missing a good chunk of training camp and now hitting injured reserve after just 13 appearances. The 6’2″ defenseman is a big, physical force on the ice but has never offered much in the way of puck-moving ability.
There’s actually an argument to be made that Kampfer is a better fit overall for the Red Wings, though losing defensive depth is never a good thing. Detroit is dealing with a number of injuries at the moment, with six players now on IR. The team is back in action this evening against the Carolina Hurricanes.