DobberHockey’s Tom Collins suggests that two Red Wings players have lost fantasy hockey value as a result of the moves made by the Wings’ management over the course of free agency:
8. Jakub Vrana: Vrana missed most of this past season with a shoulder injury, but was productive when he did make it back into the lineup, posting 13 goals and 19 points in 26 games on the second line. Five of those goals and six of those points were with the man-advantage, where he played on the top unit for a good chunk of that time. However, the Red Wings worked this offseason at bringing in more veterans. Andrew Copp signed a five-year deal that sees him get $5.6 million per season. David Perron signed a two-year deal that pays him $4.75 million per year. Dominik Kubalik signed a two-year deal at $2.5 million each campaign. All three of these could make up the second line in Detroit this season, and odds are Vrana will be moved to the second power-play unit.
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5. Alex Nedeljkovic: It’s been a tough few seasons for anyone who has had Nedeljkovic in keeper or dynasty leagues. Like most goalies, he was brought along slowly, but he put up great numbers in the AHL (career 89-45-11 record with 14 shutouts). He was finally given the opportunity in Carolina due to injuries and he was excellent, finishing 2020-21 with a 15-5-3 record with three shutouts, a 1.90 GAA and a .931 SV%. He was then traded to Detroit, where he had a great first half (12-10-4 with a 2.69 GAA, a .918 SV and one really bad start in his first 28 games) followed by a poor second half (8-14-5 with a 3.89 GAA, .884 SV% and 10 really bad starts in 31 games). There was still hope the 26-year-old could be Detroit’s goalie when they became good again, but the trade for Ville Husso and drafting of Sebastian Cossa last summer have put a big kibosh on those plans. With Husso signed for three years for just under $5 million per season and Nedeljkovic a UFA next summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ned play backup this season and move to another squad in a year.
Continued; Vrana will be fine, and Nedeljkovic needed a competent 1A/1B goaltender to push him. He’s not going anywhere for a while.
I doubt Kubalik bumps Vrana down. Jakub should do well with Copp and Perrin as his limemates.