Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman suggested that he will not be buying out Vladimir Tarasenko, Justin Holl or any other roster players (per Sean Shapiro) when he spoke with the media yesterday afternoon.

Yzerman also stated that the team will examine the unrestricted free agent marketplace, which opens on Tuesday at 12 PM EDT, and the post-free agency trade market in order to bolster the team’s blueline and forward corps.

The Athletic asked its NHL beat writers what “biggest question” each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams face as July 1st looms large in every team’s roster-building plans. Max Bultman offered the following:

Where to draw the line

Detroit has lingered outside the playoffs for long enough now that it’s not exactly a destination. That may take the team out of the running for some top names. At that point, Steve Yzerman has to decide where the line is to just walk away. That’s much easier said than done for a team that wants to improve, but the Red Wings have been burned on overpayments to middle-of-the-lineup players in recent years. — Max Bultman

Continued (paywall); I agree with Bultman. The Red Wings do need some help on defense and more scoring (and possibly snarl) at forward, but attempting to jam players onto the roster to “force a fit” hasn’t worked for the team.

Detroit’s going to have to spend judiciously and not become too enamored with supporting players over the course of the next week.

The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a wide-ranging notebook article this morning, taking note of the comments made by both Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman and assistant GM/director of player development Kris Draper after the Wings concluded rounds 2 through 7 of the 2025 NHL Draft.

St. James noted a telling comment from Yzerman regarding the state of the team’s goaltending depth after acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks yesterday…

The Wings still have interest in goalie Alex Lyon, though he may find more lucrative offers in free agency. As it stands, Gibson and Cam Talbot project to be next season’s tandem. The Wings have basically carried three goaltenders in each of the past three season, and may still add a third-stringer. Right now their Grand Rapids Griffins goaltending depth consists of 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava, a free-agent signee out of the Czech Republic hoping to make it in North America.

“We think we know what we have in Sebastian, and I think Sebastian needs more time in the AHL,” Yzerman said. “We’re counting on him to play well. Michal played extremely well in the Czech league and we’ll see how he adapts over here. It’s his first time over.”

And Yzerman confirmed that the Red Wings expect to re-sign Patrick Kane in short order, most likely before the start of free agency at 12 PM EDT on Tuesday:

Last year, the Wings re-signed forward Patrick Kane on June 30, the eve of free agency. It’s getting close again this year, but Yzerman sounded confident.

“I still expect us to get a deal done with Patrick,” he said. “It’s a busy time for everyone. I’m hopeful we can get something done soon. That’s my intention.”

Continued (paywall); it would not surprise me if the Red Wings chose to add a veteran AHL starting goaltender as to mentor Cossa and Postava in GR.

Carter Gylander will have a new partner in Toledo as well as Jan Bednar left the ECHL team to play in Europe this upcoming season.

The Detroit Red Wings are shifting their focus from drafting players this weekend in Los Angeles to developing their prospects as the team’s 2025 Summer Development Camp will get underway tomorrow at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper’s comments regarding the camp:

“It’s a crash course in as much information as we can give these guys,” Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper said. “We want them to, obviously, understand the importance of training. It’s something that we put a big emphasis on for a lot of us that played and are still in the organization. That was something that meant a lot to all of us when we played. So we want to let them know the importance of training and obviously, training properly and training at the right time.

“And with that said, you have to eat at the right time. Know what to eat, know when to eat, I think is also very important, and then even on top of that, with the sleep. It’s probably something that a lot of these young players take for granted.”

Players will be splitting into two teams – Team Howe and Team Lindsay. Sessions will be featuring daily on-ice instruction and skill development from a team of coaches. Leading the session will be the Red Wings player development staff led by Dan Cleary and Niklas Kronwall. Attendees will also be taking part in NHL-level off-ice workouts and attending presentations designed to be helping players transition to professional hockey, while receiving feedback from Red Wings coaches and management.

Continued; the Red Wings really do view their SDC as an educational opportunity for their prospects and free agent invitees; it’s all about absorbing as much information as possible about what it takes to become a professional athlete, which is a 24/7 job these days.

Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff Shawn Horcoff saw his son, Will, be drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins 25th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday. Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of Shawn’s comments regarding his status “draft-day dad”…

“It’s a little different, a little more nerve racking,” Horcoff, 46, said of being the parent of a draftee. “I don’t make the amateur decisions, thank goodness, but this is a hard day for everyone. This is the future of your franchise but as a parent sitting there, the worst part is not knowing where he’s gonna go.”

Ultimately, Will, a forward from the Michigan Wolverines, wasn’t left waiting for long. The Pittsburgh Penguins would actually trade up to take Horcoff with the 25th overall selection of the first round.

“Obviously an exciting day for all of us,” Shawn Horcoff said. “He’s pretty ecstatic.”

As well as those of Horcoff’s colleague, Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper. Draper had the honor of drafting his son, University of Michigan forward Kienan Draper, five years ago:

Draper could also relate to Sean’s anxiety. In 2020, his son Kienan was an NHL draft prospect.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be obviously a parent, but it’s especially an incredible feeling for . . . Shawn played the game. I played the game. And to be able to see our sons being selected at the NHL draft is something special and something that you’re never going to forget.”

Continued; I’m a little bummed out about the Wings not drafting Will Horcoff as the very raw prospect is a tremendous physical specimen, but the Wings stuck to their list and drafted a player whose “compete level” is off the charts in Carter Bear. Sometimes you pick who you pick.

The Athletic’s Max Bultman filed an incredibly thorough 15-point notebook article regarding the Red Wings’ draft haul, the team’s trade for goaltender John Gibson, and many other topics, including this from GM Steve Yzerman regarding the free agent marketplace (or the lack thereof):

Yzerman was candid about the shortage of potential impact players on the free-agent market this year but said the team will look at the blue line, and will look to add a winger as well — neither of which is surprising. Asked if there was a viable trade market for defensemen, he opened his answer by saying: “I’m not sure if viable is the right word. I’m going to look into it.”

Part of the issue, it sounds like, is the state of what teams are looking for.

“When I’m talking to teams right now, everybody wants — the teams I’m talking to — they want players,” Yzerman said. “Much like we want players. What do we have to offer? Like, I don’t want to trade our core players. You trade, whatever, a young centerman for a young centerman — I’m looking to add to our team, and use our future assets for that, and right now, teams are all looking to add players to their team, kind of do the same thing (that) we’re trying to do.”

He did acknowledge “there’s a couple of somewhat interesting options” but added he thinks all the teams will now turn their attention to free agency, then see what shakes out and who can accomplish what they want, who might be left still looking, and who might need to move bodies out.

Yzerman’s appraisal of the market is revealing, though. It doesn’t sound like this is an issue of Detroit cautiously hoarding prospects. Rather, it sounds like the opposite: a market that also wants to improve and isn’t as interested in futures.

“When I talk to teams, you know the players they want,” Yzerman said. “And I’m like, ‘That doesn’t make me better.’ I want to keep these players. I want to add to it. Am I willing to trade a core player? Maybe, but it doesn’t make, necessarily, sense to take any position and trade that, to create a hole at that position to fill in another one.”

From the sounds of it, the scenarios to watch are either a needle-moving free agent or a trade with a team that is successful in free agency and needs to move a player off the roster for cap reasons, becoming more amenable to taking back futures.

Continued (paywall); I always worry that the “futures” other teams want are Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, but that’s just me.

97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield reports some good news regarding Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who could test the unrestricted free agent marketplace on Tuesday:

Patrick Kane and the Red Wings plan to run it back for a third season.

While it hasn’t happened as quickly as some may have imagined, Steve Yzerman said Saturday after the conclusion of the NHL Draft that he’s been in contact with Kane and his agent throughout the offseason and that “I still expect us to get a deal done” soon.

“It’s a busy time for everyone,” Yzerman said, with free agency set to begin July 1. “I’ve had some discussions with both Patrick and his agent. And once you get around the draft, the agents have a lot of other things they’re doing as well, so I’m hopeful that we can get something done soon and that’s my intention. We’ll see if we can’t get that done shortly.”

Kane was fourth on the Red Wings in scoring last season with 21 goals and 59 points. He led the team with six game-winning goals and was a key cog on a power play that finished fourth in the NHL.

He’s likely to sign a similar deal to the one he did last summer, with easily-attainable performance bonuses to keep the cap hit low. Last season’s deal was a one-year pact worth $4 million, with Kane earning an extra $1.5 million for playing in 10 games and $250,000 more for playing in 60.

Continued

Per the Detroit Red Wings:

Red Wings to hold 2025 Development Camp at Little Caesars Arena June 30-July 3

Four-day camp featuring Red Wings prospects returns to BELFOR Training Center

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today announced the schedule for their 2025 Development Camp, which returns to the BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena from June 30-July 3. The camp begins on Monday, June 30 and features on-ice skill development and off-ice workouts each day, ending with a four-on-four game on Thursday, July 3.

The camp will be split into two teams – Team Howe and Team Lindsay – and will feature daily on-ice instruction and skill development from a team of coaches, led by the Red Wings player development staff. Attendees will also take part in NHL-level off-ice workouts and attend presentations designed to help players transition to professional hockey, while experiencing the state-of-the-art player amenities offered at Little Caesars Arena and receiving feedback from Red Wings coaches and management.

The Red Wings roster will be comprised primarily of players selected by Detroit over the last several NHL Drafts, as well as signed free agent prospects and undrafted free agent invitees from collegiate, junior or European leagues. The full roster for the 2025 Development Camp will be announced on Sunday, June 29.

4-ON-4 GAME TO BE STREAMED AT DETROITREDWINGS.COM

Continue reading Press release: Red Wings announce 2025 Summer Development Camp schedule

Updated 2x at 12:37 AM, Sunday morning: Pronman, Bultman, Ellis, Wheeler, the vast majority of the NHL’s “draft gurus” have weighed in on the Red Wings’ 2025 NHL Draft class over the course of this evening. Now, EliteProspects’ Mitch Brown, David St-Louis and Daniel Gee wrap up the “draft guru grade” portion of our programming with a comprehensive set of assessments of the Wings’ picks:

Detroit Red Wings: B-

Picks: Carter Bear (13), Eddie Genborg (44), Michal Pradel (75), Brent Solomon (109), Michal Svrcek (119), Nikita Tyurin (140), Will Murphy (172), Grayden Robertson-Palmer (204)

We didn’t love Detroit’s day two, but it might not matter: Carter Bear is just that good. Our No. 8 prospect is draft’s fierciest competitor, a top-end playmaker, skilled net-front finisher, elite defensive forward, and a non-stop menace. He can slide into any role, but we anticipate he’ll be a top-six, playoff-performing winger.

Genborg was a heavily debated player in our ranks, before we ultimately all settled into seeing him as a bottom-six forward. He’s a north-south, fast-moving winger who drives hard and occasionally breaks some ankles. They also added some lower-probability checking upside and puck-moving with guys like Svrcek and Tyurin. 

Michal Pradel, a tall, smooth goalie who performed well in the USHL’s second half, could also reach the NHL, development-dependent. 

Continued (paywall); to be fair, the gents’ grades are particularly harsh. Lots of C’s and D’s.

And, as you and I both know, the Red Wings’ amateur scouting staff always sticks doggedly to their player list on the second day, more popular picks be damned. The team takes its own tack, and that may turn off the experts, but the Wings seem to have done okay drafting since Kris Draper took over the amateur scouting reins.

Update: Bleacher Report’s Adam Herman is a little more liberal in grading the Wings’ top two picks as a B:

Continue reading EliteProspects issues a B- to the Wings’ draft haul (among some very harsh marks for the rest of the league)

From the Detroit Red Wings comes a press release in which the team discusses its 7 picks drafted over the course of the second day of the 2025 NHL Draft:

RED WINGS SELECT SEVEN PLAYERS ON SECOND DAY OF 2025 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

  … Four Forwards, Two Defensemen and One Goaltender Chosen By Detroit in Los Angeles …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today selected seven players during the second day of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Red Wings chose right wing Eddie Genborg (44th overall) in the second round before taking goaltender Michal Pradel (75th overall) in the third round. Detroit used a pair of fourth-round picks on right wing Brent Solomon (109th overall) and left wing Michal Svrcek (119th overall) before taking defenseman Nikita Tyurin (140th overall) in the fifth round. From there, the Red Wings picked defenseman Will Murphy (172nd overall) in the sixth round and selected center Grayden Robertson-Palmer in the seventh round (204th overall).

Detroit’s first pick of the day was the 12th choice of the second round (44th overall), which the team used on right wing Eddie Genborg. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward spent part of the 2024-25 season with Linköping HC’s under-20 squad in Sweden’s top junior league, recording 34 points (19-15-34), a plus-18 rating and 26 penalty minutes in 28 regular-season games, in addition to three points (1-2-3) and four penalty minutes in three postseason contests. Genborg also made his professional debut with Linköping HC in the Swedish Hockey League during the 2024-25 campaign, netting two goals and four penalty minutes in 28 games while playing in Sweden’s highest professional league. Additionally, Genborg picked up two points (1-1-2) in one appearance with Linköping HC’s under-18 team in 2024-25. Genborg played the majority of the 2023-24 season with Linköping HC’s under-20 team, tallying five points (4-1-5) and 41 penalty minutes in 25 games. He also logged 11 points (7-4-11) and 12 penalty minutes in 16 games with Linköping HC’s under-18 squad in 2023-24.

Continue reading Press release: Red Wings summarize their second-day 2025 NHL Draft haul

MLive’s Ansar Khan spoke with Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper, and GM Steve Yzerman, regarding the team’s 2025 NHL Draft haul, and he found that the Wings have a slightly different “type” than before:

“I enjoyed watching the last couple months of playoff hockey,” Draper said. “The one thing that really sticks out is how hard it is to play, the compete. You look at the teams that were successful and able to go on a run, they had guys that could skate, guys that were hard to play against, responsible hockey players. We think that’s what Eddie is going to bring for us.”

[Eddie] Genborg played the past two seasons in the Linkoping system, including 28 games with the men’s team (two goals, no assists). Next season he’ll play for Timra, Henrik Zetterberg’s former club.

…

“We want to continue to draft and bring in prospects that can skate, that can think the game, that are competitive and be tough players to play against, 200 (foot) complete hockey players,” Draper said.

The Red Wings will be holding a Summer Development Camp at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center this upcoming week, and as such, the team’s focus will shift from drafting to developing players:

“We are able to address some needs as far as depth in the prospect pool,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “We’ll try to do our best and to be patient and develop them and help them along the way to become professional players and hopefully play for the Red Wings.”

Most of these picks along with many other prospects will be at Little Caesars Arena next week for development camp.

“We know we have to be patient,” Draper said. “We want these young players to be chomping at the bit, doing everything they can to make a push for the Detroit Red Wings.”

Continued (paywall)