Even after locking up Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions’ approach to adding defensive help hasn’t shifted
During each of the past three years, the Detroit Lions have made a move at the trade deadline. That pattern could repeat in 2025, but for now, the team does not appear likely to swing a notable deal.
“I love where we’re at,” head coach Dan Campbell said when speaking about the Lions’ situation (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “I think the roster is in, I think it’s healthy, I think it’s in a good position. I think we have depth, but like I say [general manager Brad Holmes is] always looking to improve the roster.”
The Lions sit at 5-2 on the year, even with the Packers for the most wins in the NFC North. Topping the division – if not the conference altogether – is once again within reach in 2025. That would point Detroit to a buyer’s stance, with Birkett naming depth in the pass rush department, along with the secondary and at the tight end position as logical targets. Indeed, in the wake of the Aidan Hutchinson extension, it was reported that the Lions’ stance on acquiring defensive help has not changed.
Detroit’s cap setup for future years will include a number of massive commitments for recently extended players. Adding a player with term would be challenging as a result, but the team has over $25M in cap space for this year. Bringing in a rental should therefore be feasible.
Hutchinson’s season-ending injury from last year made an EDGE addition a key priority and resulted in the Za’Darius Smith acquisition. The Lions have not been linked to a trade candidate in 2025 to the same extent they were widely known as Smith’s likeliest destination last season. Nevertheless, there is time until Tuesday afternoon’s deadline to work out a trade.
Campbell added that he and Holmes have “brought up a couple of things” on the trade front recently. As the Lions look to rebound from last year’s playoff disappointment, their health on defense in particular will be worth monitoring. With several key players on that side of the ball due to return shortly, no major moves should be expected.
Dan Campbell had the most predictable response to Aidan Hutchinson's huge extension
Dan Campbell has a very unique way of communicating and speaking with just about anyone. We saw it in
Well, Campbell is also very known for going hard for his players, especially those who embody the Lions' spirit of overcoming adversity. Aidan Hutchinson has done just that, rebounding from his broken leg in 2024 to come back as a major force for the teams' defense. His monstrous extension, signed on Wednesday, is a huge acknowledgement of that.
Campbell had nothing but wonderful things to add about the extension, and it's hard not to read this message - shared by SI's Albert Breer - without reading it in Campbell's exact, passionate cadence.
Campbell offers on-brand response to Hutchinson's extension
Hutchinson has been "complete" as Campbell states to Breer here. He's got six sacks, which is at a slightly lower pace than we saw him working at in 2024 prior to his broken leg. But, what's stood out for Hutchinson so far this year is his proficiency at punchouts. He's forced four fumbles already this season, which is tied for first place in the NFL.
Those turnovers and potential turnovers generated by Hutchinson help to cover up the injuries that have completely bogged down the Lions' secondary. While the "Legion of Whom" have stepped up in a big way as the team awaits the return of Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, and D.J. Reed, it helps that Hutchinson is up front and ready to be a disruptor before the ball gets in the air.
Hutchinson has a long road ahead to be considered a top contender for the Defensive Player of the Year honor for this season. Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is leading that pack, followed closely by the ever-explosive Myles Garrett. Hutchinson still has a shot, though. And, maybe his extension will provide even more pop to his game than already existent.
With the return of Alim McNeill to the defensive line, it's even more likely that Hutchinson can focus on piling up on sacks this season. The attention is no longer solely on him, if you're an offensive lineman, and that bodes well for his ability to get to double-digit sacks soon.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
