According to The Athletic’s Craig Custance, defenseman Mike Green is weighing whether to remain with the Detroit Red Wings via a short-term contract, or whether he should test the unrestricted free agent marketplace on July 1st:
Green is the second-best defenseman in the free agent Class of 2018. At least if you’re looking for offense. Whether you like his overall game or not, that’s just the reality.
“He had a good season. Teams are always looking for right-shot defensemen. And he’s not 40 years old,” said one NHL source. “If teams are looking to improve themselves on defense this summer through free agency, there’s not much out there.”
And right now, Green is facing a decision. The Red Wings have made him both a one- and a two-year offer to stay in Detroit. For a team in the middle of a rebuild, it doesn’t make much sense to go any longer than that. For a player who could have his choice of better deals on the open market, it might not make sense to accept.
So, here we are. The two sides are close on salary. If this deal doesn’t get done, it’s going to be because of term since it’s realistic that the second-best defenseman in free agency could get at least three years on the open market.
“He might even get four,” said an NHL source.
Custance continues (paywall), quoting Red Wings GM Ken Holland…
I’m actually ok with Green coming back.
well it seems with the Wings trying to re-sign Green and possibly going after Defenseman Justin Faulk they will draft a forward this season. I hope I am wrong.
would that mean trading up with Montreal to get Zadina? Or trading back? Knowing Holland that would be trading back.
I sure don’t dislike Green (FA) or Faulk (Trade) and being 2 righties. 1st There is no room to add 2 D men let alone add any Prospect DMen. Did the rebuild get canceled.
Wings would be better team and increase the distance from a #1 pick. I guess the reality is, do Green and/or Faulk want to play for the Wings?
Any GM giving Mike Green a 3-4 year deal is crazy, The guy just came off of major neck surgery and there’s no guarantee’s that there wont be problems down the road.
It’s that time of year…
My point of view wich I have said before. Why resign him? I mean, unless the GM miraculously unloads a few contracts, I don’t see the point. The culture thing makes no sense to me. We have too many Veteran D members. You don’t need 7 experienced NHL defenseman to mentor themselves…
I’ll wait to see what happens before I get any sort of worked up.
Well said