I’ve just got a gut feeling on this pleasant, if smoky July Tuesday that the Red Wings aren’t quite done pursuing roster additions. I still fully believe that the Wings might add a third-line forward if there’s someone who’s willing to take a discounted one-year deal, and that the Wings may add one more defenseman for depth purposes.
The Hockey News’s Red Wings correspondent, Sam Stockton, examines both the restricted and unrestricted free agent marketplace this evening.
Sam agrees that the Red Wings could still sign somebody on a below-market-value deal, and here’s how he breaks down his potential candidates:
The Un-Gettables: This group is composed of players who would be a worthwhile fit in Detroit, but whose circumstances dictate that to be an unlikely fit for one reason or another. The biggest sub-category in this group is restricted free agents, whom we know NHL general managers to be constitutionally unwilling to target with offer sheets.
The Old Friends: This group includes former Red Wings who might make sense for another year in Hockeytown.
The Old: This group features players who might have been exciting to sign as free agents three-to-five seasons ago, but now…
The Intriguing: This final group features players who might just be able to fill a void in the 2023-24 Red Wing line-up. They might not have been top of mind on July 1st, but they could be worth a cut-rate flyer.
Continued; Sam lists free agent forward Jesse Puljujarvi, who had double hip surgery, restricted free agent winger Alexis Lafreniere, center and Port Huron/U of M-connected Tyler Motte, former Wing Pius Suter, and defenseman Matt Dumba as possibilities.
All realistic in my opinion.
