MLive’s Ansar Khan addresses the Red Wings’ underwhelming start to the free agency period in a subscriber-only article this morning, noting that the Red Wings haven’t substantially improved the team as of this morning, which has the fan base in a state of discontent…
That also was the sentiment one year ago on this date. Then Yzerman traded for Alex DeBrincat a week later and the outlook changed. Then he signed Kane in late November and the Red Wings missed out on a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker.
So, it might be too early to draw conclusions. For now, they look to be slightly better defensively, with Talbot in net, young defenseman Simon Edvinsson in the top four from the start of the season and Gustafsson on the third pairing in place of Gostisbehere.
That’s important after the team finished 24th in the NHL in goals against per game (3.33).
But they have lost a significant chunk of offense from a team that ranked ninth in goals per game (3.35). Gostisbehere, Perron and Daniel Sprong, who remains unsigned, were three of their top eight scorers, combining for 45 goals and 146 points. Including Walman’s 12 goals, that’s 57 goals subtracted from last season’s roster.
They have not yet addressed this area. They have roughly $7 million in cap space (factoring in what it’ll likely cost to re-sign restricted free agent Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond) and need two more forwards.
And the Free Press’s Helene St. James also discusses the Red Wings’ free agency moves, noting that Cam Talbot and Erik Gustafsson are really journeymen players. Here’s what she has to say about the team’s defensemen:
Gustafsson was added a week after Yzerman traded Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks, giving up a second-round pick to the Sharks to made the deal work (the Wings received future considerations in return). Gustafsson brings the defense corp back to eight – counting Moritz Seider (who is without a contract but will get one at some point), Ben Chiarot, Justin Holl, Jeff Petry and Olli Määttä, along with Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson, who are no longer waiver exempt and will be on next year’s roster.
Shayne Gostisbehere, who led the team with 29 power-play points last season – and contributed 51 overall – signed with the Carolina Hurricanes for three years at $3.2 million per season. That was more term than the Wings were willing to give, apparently. Gustafsson is better defensively than Gostisbehere, but does not have the same offensive skills and is not a power-play quarterback.
Yzerman was not made available to reporters Monday, hinting he may not be done in free agency.
St. James also continues (paywall)
