Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston penned an article discussing scuttlebutt related to the top unrestricted free agents available, and he reports that the Red Wings may still be in the bidding for goalie Jacob Markstrom’s services…
Markstrom is the top goaltender available in a crowded marketplace at the position and will almost certainly net a contract with an average value above the $5 million that Robin Lehner got last week from Las Vegas.
The Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings are believed to have interest. Despite some cap limitations, the Edmonton Oilers will likely come calling as well.
And then there is the case of one Torey Krug:
In a league where cap space is king, Steve Yzerman possesses more of it than virtually all of his peers.
He also has more available roster spots than NHL-ready prospects after an off-season where the Detroit Red Wings let Jonathan Ericsson, Trevor Daley and Jimmy Howard walk away in free agency, bought out Justin Abdelkader and didn’t tender qualifying offers to Madison Bowey, Christoffer Ehn and Brendan Perlini.
That’s led to increased chatter that the Red Wings are poised to take a run at free-agent defenceman Torey Krug when the market opens Friday.
There’s a natural fit: Krug was raised in a Detroit suburb and attended Michigan State. He’s also looking for some long-term security after being one of the NHL’s most productive blue-liners over the past seven seasons and the Red Wings have the means to sign the 29-year-old to the kind of contract he covets.
