The Detroit Red Wings are not likely to make any significant additions to their lineup via free agency this summer, especially on defense, but the Free Press’s Helene St. James reports that GM Steve Yzerman will “work the phones” (to use a Ken Holland term) to see who and what might be available to enhance his roster:
“I”m going to make some calls and see,” he said. “There are players we’re interested in. I’ll get a feel for, one, if they have any interest in coming to Detroit, and then what the parameters are of what they’re looking for.”
The San Jose Sharks re-signed pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Erik Karlsson before he reached the open market. The Winnipeg Jets traded pending restricted free agent defenseman Jacob Trouba (Rochester) to the New York Rangers on June 17.
The Wings are not likely to be a playoff team next season, but they do have roster spots available up front and on defense.
“Before doing it through trade I would look at free agency to fill those roster spots,” Yzerman said. “We also do want to have some opportunity for our younger players to fill those spots, but we will look at free agency. But the player has to fit what we’re trying to do. The value of the contract has to fit.”
St. James continues, discussing Niklas Kronwall’s future.
