Even if we don't deal for Risto, and we probably won't, I think we need to get over this idea of not wanting a guy just because he isn't excellent on both sides of the ice. Some compromises will probably have to be made.
The last "perfect fit" defender legitimately available to the Wings was Suter in 2012. From then to 2019 should be a pretty clear indication how damn difficult it is to acquire defenders capable of logging big minutes and scoring points. Several of these players have moved in trades and free agency, but for one reason for another, the Wings haven't been close to landing any in that duration.
So here we are, nearly a decade of waiting, still turning our noses up at names like Subban, Karlsson, and Ristolainen while throwing out UDFA Danny DeKeyser into big minutes and praying that the current generation of D prospects is different than Kindl, Smith, and the other dozen names I can't remember.
I'm optimistic on Hronek and Seider, maybe someone else surprises, but it's going to take significant time to develop a blueline from scratch and I hope Yzerman gives them way more help than is currently in the system.
As a final note I haven't mentioned yet, Risto has 3 years remaining on his contract at $5.4 million, which is absolutely perfect. He's not overpaid, it's a shorter deal, and the 3 years is the perfect window to decide if you want to move on from him or create an extension that would end in his early 30s.
I don't think we trade for Risto either, but these are the types of moves the Wings will need to make in the next few years and I think our fanbase, overall, hasn't quite caught up to the idea of giving something of value to get a defender that can move the damn puck. We've been in a Ken Holland trade coma for years. The last time he moved decent assets for a puck moving defender it was Kyle Quincey.