MLive’s Ansar Khan penned an article about Mike Green’s future, both verifying the Athletic’s Craig Custance’s report that the Wings have offered Green 1 and 2-year contracts, and weighing in regarding the Wings’ other free agent options:
If Green doesn’t re-sign, the Red Wings could look to free agency. They’re interested in John Carlson, who is by far the top defenseman expected to hit the market. He’s 28, shoots right and collected 15 goals and 53 assists for the Washington Capitals. But it’s hard to imagine he would go from a Stanley Cup champion to a team that hasn’t made the playoffs the past two seasons.
If Carlson leaves Washington, Green would be a natural fit to return to the franchise where he flourished his first 10 seasons. Green is the second-highest scoring defenseman among pending UFAs. After that, there is a significant dip in quality.
The Red Wings plan on moving in at least one defense prospect from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Filip Hronek, a skilled righthanded shooter who flourished during his first pro season, is the leading candidate. Joe Hicketts is another possibility. Dennis Cholowski, their top pick in 2016, also will compete for a job but probably needs some time in the AHL since he’s just turning pro.
After Green, the Red Wings’ second-highest scoring defenseman was Niklas Kronwall (27 points), followed by Trevor Daley (16 points) and Nick Jensen (15 points).
Khan continues, and unless the Wings offer Carlson an $8-million-plus deal, I don’t see him coming to Detroit.
holland may have said the word rebuild, but his actions scream “I don’t understand what that word really means.”
Its going to be a long time wandering the desert for wings fans.
It would be irresponsible of management to not at least take a swing at Carlsson, tho I’d insist on max term and for probably less than he’d make elsewhere (I wouldn’t go over $8mil). But hey, maybe he really wants to play in the D. He’s young enough that he’d still be in his prime once the team is back on the upswing, esp if we hit on a draft pick or two soon. In fact, I’d go after him before Green.
Well obviously the Wings are determined to leave no openings for their prospects to play next season. I’m at the point now where I’ll be surprised if anyone new makes the team out of camp now.
George,
From now before every post like this one can you start off by saying: “and now some news from the bizarro world?”
Rebuild on the fly. Kenny likes being on the zipper.
for gods sake … Erik not John … Karlsson not Carlson.
Can’t they get anything right ?
First they make an offer to Green … now they’re going after the wrong “Carl’s son” … LOL
Is this managements way of saying ALL of our prospects suck ??
Other than driving up the price of Carlsson a little for those who actually might sign him, this seems like a distraction. Carlsson is far enough along in his career that this is not the time or stage in a rebuild to throw money at him.
It’s surely a moot point as – unless I am missing something – there is no particular reason he’d want to sign with the Wings. It’s like an old habit that dies hard – maybe free agent X will chose us and fast-forward our rebuild on the fly. There’s just no much reason this makes sense for either party.
I’m cool with it as long as he doesn’t sign both Green AND Carlson.