Daily Faceoff’s correspondents were asked which team is “winning the offseason” some four days into free agency (i.e. very early in the “offseason”), and while none of their correspondents suggested that the Red Wings’ moves made them the biggest winner of this four-day-old process, former goaltender Mike McKenna suggests that the Wings meaningfully addressed their needs:
In terms of which team instantly got better, I think the Detroit Red Wings are the best example. Trading for Ville Husso to compete with Alex Nedeljkovic was a shrewd move by GM Steve Yzerman – even though I’m wary of the $4.75 million cap hit Husso will carry over the next three seasons. Then Yzerman went out and landed Andrew Copp, David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk via free agency. What a haul.
Continued; I’m still not thrilled with the Chiarot deal, but overall, I think that Steve Yzerman did a very good job of addressing the team’s need for strong supporting players while not abandoning the draft-and-develop philosophy.
You have forgotten more hockey than I have ever known. Do you think Chariot due to not many options for left-handed defensemen? Even if so, then do you think they could have gone lower/less term or should have just picked someone else entirely, George?
Bugsy, I think it was Chiarot at that rate because the Chiarot that played in Winnipeg and in Montreal was particularly useful physically while proving to “keep up” with more offensive defensemen. I think they could have offered less, but to make moves on the first day of unrestricted free agency, one has to pay a premium. It is what it is, as they say :/