MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the Red Wings’ six major free agency signings and trade acquisitions (one Klim Kostin) this evening, and Khan wonders aloud whether GM Steve Yzerman improved the team’s outlook for the 2023-2024 season:
Are they better than they were at the start of last season, when they had Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakub Vrana, Filip Hronek and Alex Nedeljkovic among others?
If so, only marginally it would seem. With a little more than $9 million in cap space, Yzerman has some flexibility to make a trade or two before the start of training camp or during the season (Ottawa still hasn’t moved Alex DeBrincat).
Regardless, the Red Wings need growth from younger players like Lucas Raymond, Michael Rasmussen, Jonatan Berggren and Joe Veleno. They need a prospect or two, like Simon Edvinsson, Elmer Soderblom or 2022 top pick Marco Kasper to contribute. They need Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider to be at least as good as they were last season. They need better health.
Most of last year’s free agents/trade acquisitions made a positive contribution. David Perron was second on the team in goals (24) and points (56). Andrew Copp didn’t score much (nine goals) but had a career-high 38 assists, checked and killed penalties. Olli Maatta was a steady bottom-four defenseman. Goaltender Ville Husso might have been their most valuable player before fading near the end under a heavy workload.
This year’s newcomers must make an impact, too, if the Red Wings, who finished 12 points out of a playoff spot, can take the next step in this lengthy rebuild.
Continued; by hook or by crook, the Red Wings still need to add an elite offensive talent up front if they are to really improve upon last season’s record, and that player may have to come via a trade.
