On Thursday afternoon, The Athletic’s Max Bultman discussed the Red Wings’ free agent options, and today, the Free Press’s Helene St. James offers her suggestions as to possible options for the Red Wings to pursue on July 1st, including the following:
F Richard Panik: Panik, 28, had 14 goals among 33 points in 75 games last season for Arizona. He had 22 goal in 2016-17. He’s coming off a two-year, $5.6 million contract. He’s another guy who could appeal on a one-year deal, someone who can play either wing and both special teams and adds some size at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds.
F Joonas Donskoi: He’s a right-shot forward coming off a two-year, $3.8 million contract with San Jose. He had 37 points in 80 ages in 2018-19, the second straight season he’s reached 14 goals. He averaged 13.25 per game with the Sharks, and wasn’t a factor on either special teams.
D Niklas Kronwall : Yzerman has said Kronwall, 38, can have all summer to decide whether to return or retire. Yzerman said he wants to “have some opportunity for our younger players” to fill spots and that is the case especially on defense. Veterans Danny DeKeyser, Mike Green, Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson. Given their injury history, they can’t count on Ericsson nor Daley to be available all season. Filip Hronek has earned a spot with his play last season, and Dennis Cholowski is expected to push for one. So is free-agent signee Oliwer Kaski. There’s also Madison Bowey, acquired as part of the Nick Jensen trade.
St. James continues, and she mentions a total of 4 Wings alumni over the course of her free agent list.
