The Score’s John Matisz weighs in regarding the first couple days’ worth of free agency moves, suggesting that the Red Wings’ free agency moves do not indicate a deviation from the “Yzerplan”:
For years now, smart NHL GMs have left room between the lower and upper limits of the salary cap to bail out cap-strapped teams in exchange for draft picks and prospects or to keep their own books tidy for future business.
In the early days of the 2022 offseason, the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators have all weaponized cap space in some way.
…
Steve Yzerman sure thinks that way. The Red Wings GM sat tight during the previous three offseasons, refusing to burden the organization with unnecessary contracts. Finally ready to insulate his young core with veteran NHLers, Yzerman has added goalie Ville Husso, forwards Andrew Copp, Dominik Kubalik, and David Perron, and defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta, and Mark Pysyk since the draft. His restraint in the past allowed him to pounce this year and beat out rival GMs handcuffed by cap issues.
