Detroit Red Wings Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

Detroit Red Wings Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland faces a few tough obstacles this summer as he attempts to make room for spending in free agency.

First, he needs to find a team willing to absorb Pavel Datsyuk‘s $7.5 million dollar cap hit, and second, Ken needs to attempt to trade goaltender Jimmy Howard.

For Detroit’s sake, let’s hope they are able to bury Johan Franzan’s nearly $4 million dollar cap hit on the LTIR, because he’s not worth it with his diminished play.

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If the Red Wings look to address any one thing this offseason, it will be their blue line. Mike Green was a decent addition but the team lacks quality depth.

Detroit finished 3rd in the Atlantic Division in 2015-16 with a record of 41-30-11 (93 points), snagging the top Wild-Card spot. Unfortunately, the team fell short in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Tampa Bay.

Moving forward, the Red Wings have several prospects ready to make a true NHL impact (i.e. Anthony Mantha, Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, etc.). With the departure of longtime leader Pavel Datsyuk, the leadership core will begin to shift to younger players.

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Detroit Red Wings Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Committed to 2016-17: $60,326,209
Number of Players Signed: 34

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Brad Richards, Darren Helm, Drew Miller, Kyle Quincey, Dan Cleary, Tom McCollum, Andy Miele

Notable Restricted Free Agents: Teemu Pulkkinen, Danny Dekeyser, Alexey Marchenko, Petr Mrazek, Ryan Sproul, Mitch Callahan

The only big-ticket contract that GM Ken Holland needs to sign is goaltender Petr Mrazek. Otherwise, the rest should be fairly cheap re-signings.

Rumors suggest Darren Helm’s asking price is too high and will likely reach free agency. We also expect Brad Richards to walk on July 1. Detroit could potentially explore bringing back Kyle Quincey (at the right price) and Drew Miller.

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Detroit Red Wings Free Agency Team Needs

3rd/4th Line Forward, Top Four RH Defense, Goalie (AHL Starter + Potential Backup)

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For the most part, Detroit is built solid up front. The Datsyuk departure does however create a hole. Luckily there’s enough skill to fill the top-six, but it leaves room for one player to be signed in a 3rd/4th line capacity.

The Red Wings only right-handed defenders (excluding prospects not ready) are Mike Green, Alexey Marchenko, and Ryan Sproul.

Detroit has an abundance of LH shots in Niklas Kronwall, Danny DeKeyser, Jonathan Ericsson, and Xavier Ouellet. Given the struggles in 2015-16, perhaps it’s time to find more balance?

If Ken Holland succeeds in trading Jimmy Howard (which he must find a way to do), it leaves a massive void behind Petr Mrazek – especially if McCollum walks into free agency. At the bare minimum, Detroit needs a number three, if not a backup as well (this could be obtained via trade).

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Potential Detroit Red Wings Free Agency Targets

3rd/4th Line Forward: Boyd Gordon, Steve Downie, Ben Smith, Viktor Tikhonov, Patrick Bordeleau, Mike Richards, Kyle Brodziak, Chris Terry, Kyle Chipchura, Mike Santorelli, Steve Bernier, Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tyler Kennedy

Top Four RH Defense: Jason Demers, Roman Polak, Yannick Weber (better suited in 3rd pairing)

Goalies (Backup/No.3 AHL Starter): Ben Scrivens, Alex Stalock, Chad Johnson, Jhonas Enroth, Al Montoya, Justin Peters, Carter Hutton, Jeff Zatkoff, Jeremy Smith

*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com