Many, many times, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has said that he’ll do what’s best for the organization. Not what’s best for right now, or for next season, but at a macro level. This summer will be no different.
Within the scope of that overarching mission, Yzerman noted that he wants to accomplish the following objectives from a roster management standpoint:
- Acquire more offensive depth
- Improve defensively from top to bottom
How can he do this? I’ve outlined six priorities and ranked them according to their overall importance to the organization. Let’s dive in.
More Red Wings Offseason Analysis:
Red Wings’ No. 1 Priority: Top-Six Scoring Forward
Rationale: Detroit’s five-on-five high-danger chances per 60 (HDCF/60) ranked 31st in the NHL last season (8.96).
Potential Targets: LW Patrick Kane, LW Jake Guentzel, RW Jonathan Marchessault, RW Pavel Buchnevich.
Analysis: Kane and David Perron are both free agents, leaving the Red Wings with four top-six forwards—Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and J.T. Compher—on the roster. One or both could return. Regardless, those two spots need to be filled.
Guentzel and Marchessault are elite scorers and come with big-game experience. Guentzel, in particular, ranked in the top 10 league-wide among skaters with 200-plus minutes played for individual higher-danger chances generated (iHDCF/60) at five on five. Part of that was playing alongside Sidney Crosby. But then again, he has thrived flanking Sebastian Aho in Carolina as well.
In addition, there’s Buchnevich—a trade target—who is an all-situations forward with size and has the versatility to play center if Larkin or Compher miss time.
(Note: Steven Stamkos and Sam Reinhart were excluded here because I fully believe they will re-sign with their respective clubs.)
Red Wings’ No. 2 Priority: Top-Four Right Defenseman
Rationale: Jeff Petry’s skill level and playing style don’t align well with Simon Edvinsson’s approach to the game. The Red Wings need a reliable, defense-first blueliner to partner with their top prospect on the second pair.
Potential Targets: RD Matt Roy, RD Brett Pesce, RD Chris Tanev, RD Dylan DeMelo, LD/RD Shayne Gostisbehere, LD/RD Jakob Chychrun, RD Rasmus Andersson.
Analysis: During his end-of-year press conference, Yzerman noted, “We need to be better at all aspects of keeping the puck out of our net.”
Part of that is…
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