MLive’s Ansar Khan suggests that the Detroit Red Wings need to import some offensive talent to their roster regardless of whether Dylan Larkin’s situation is resolved with a reunion and/or the Red Wings recoup player(s) of value in a Larkin trade:
Lack of scoring cost the Red Wings a playoff spot after they were tied for the Eastern Conference lead on Jan. 24 with 69 points. They finished 22nd in the league in goals (239) and 30th in five-on-five goals (142).
They lost Patrick Kane (16 goals), who signed with Chicago, and didn’t re-sign James van Riemsdyk (15 goals), who remains a free agent.
Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals last season with Boston) will compensate for some of that offense.
They also need growth from within. Marco Kasper must be closer to the player who scored 19 goals as a rookie and not the one who struggled last season with nine goals. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard could be ready to contribute after being elevated before he was ready a year ago (one assist in 14 games).
Here are the players Khan believes can fill a goal-scoring hole for the Red Wings:
Vladimir Tarasenko, 34, remains unsigned after producing 23 goals and 47 points for the Wild. He was not a good fit in Detroit in 2024-25 (11 goals, 33 points in 80 games), but the Red Wings aren’t averse to bringing back former players. Yzerman had a deal in place for Anthony Mantha (one year, $5 million) a month ago but was let go before governor and CEO Chris Ilitch approved the move.
Eeli Tolvanen, 27, tallied 12 goals and 36 points for Seattle and has averaged 17 goals the past four seasons.
Michael Bunting, 30, struggled after being traded from Nashville to Dallas late in the season (one goal, one assist in 13 games) but produced 14 goals and 33 points overall.
Former 44-goal scorer Patrik Laine, 28, was limited to five games with Montreal due to abdominal surgery but scored 20 goals in 52 games the previous season. He is eligible for an incentive-laden contract with a low base salary.
Continued; I would like to see the Red Wings “add.” I don’t believe that Laine’s looking to sign anywhere that’s not a contender, but we could very well see a Tarasenko reunion if he’s amenable; Tolvanen has been linked to the Wings for a while, and Bunting is an irritating player to play against.
