Via Kukla’s Korner: The Athletic’s Scott Burnside gave free agency grades to each and every one of the NHL’s 31 teams, an here’s what he had to say about the Red Wings:
Detroit Red Wings: C
In: Steve Yzerman (GM), Moritz Seider, Patrik Nemeth, Valtteri Filppula, Calvin Pickard
Out: Thomas Vanek, Niklas Kronwall (likely), Luke Witkowski
It’s unlikely Moritz Seider, the sixth pick in the draft, will be in Red Wing red come the fall, but he’s notable because new GM Steve Yzerman passed up on some high-end offensive talent to take the German defender. The pick suggests there aren’t going to be any quick fixes for the Red Wings, who have now missed the playoffs in three straight years. I like the add of Patrik Nemeth on a two-year deal with a $3 million cap hit. Nemeth, 27, brings some size and stability to the back end where there remains a bit of an aging logjam with veteran pieces like Jonathan Ericsson, Trevor Daley and Mike Green still under contract for the coming season. Their future with the team remains fluid especially as we get closer to the trade deadline next season when the Wings are expected once again to be sellers. Repatriating Valtteri Filppula should be a boon to the bevy of emerging young forwards on the Red Wing roster, although at age 35 he certainly won’t make this squad any faster and shouldn’t be counted on much for offensive production.
Continued (paywall)…
