USA Today’s Mike Brehm issued offseason grades for the NHL’s 32 teams, and he gives the Red Wings high marks for their significant amount of roster turnover:
Detroit Red Wings: A
They were the most active in free agency, adding Shayne Gostisbehere, Justin Holl, Compher, Daniel Sprong and a couple of goalies on the opening day. That group didn’t include a pure goal scorer, but they acquired one with the Alex DeBrincat trade and signed him to a four-year extension. The Michigan native is a two-time 40-goal scorer who dropped to 27 last season after a trade to Ottawa. The Red Wings then added Petry, a two-way veteran right-shot defenseman who’s the son of former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry. This is the second consecutive year that GM Steve Yzerman was aggressive in the offseason. It didn’t work last season and Detroit was a seller at the trade deadline. This year, the Red Wings seem like they might have a better chance.
