ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton have posted a massive article which plans free agency roadmaps for each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams.
Here’s what they suggest the Red Wings attempt to accomplish when free agency begins tomorrow at 12 PM EDT:
Key players hitting UFA: F Pius Suter, G Alex Nedeljkovic
Key player hitting RFA: F Joseph Veleno
Cap space: $27,565,278What they should do: The Red Wings have two clear areas of need: scoring depth and a suitable No. 2 to play behind Ville Husso in net. Detroit finished 24th in goals per game last season (2.89), and trading away Tyler Bertuzzi certainly didn’t help there. It’s time to restock.
The free agent market up front is veteran heavy, and GM Steve Yzerman has already explored the trade route adding Kailer Yamamoto and RFA Klim Kostin in a transaction with Edmonton on Thursday. Pending Senators RFA Alex DeBrincat is another option on that front. The Red Wings just can’t go another year without addressing their offensive inconsistencies. As for the goaltending dilemma, it’s time to give Husso a real partner. Even a Cam Talbot or Semyon Varlamov could do the trick, leaving Husso to shine as Detroit’s No. 1 while providing the right amount of support.
Continued (paywall); regardless of how the Red Wings do it, I agree that the team must address its offensive issues, physicality and goaltending.
