Speculation: 2022 Free Agent Discussion

[Mister Ed]

I’d give up a kidney to land Letang

The right side is pretty set : Seider, Hronek, Lindstrom. I wouldn't be opposed to trading Hronek for some center help though.

 

[NickH8]

As for the left side, I think Leddy and DeKeyser are out. Staal depends on how much he feels he has left in the tank. I'm fine extending on another 1x1. Good third pair veteran. I think it will be a battle between Johansson and Edvinsson at camp for a left d spot, and then a low budget free agent to play with Seider. A guy like Cole, Zadorov, or Maatta. No interest in McNabb from me because I think he's a dick, but I guess from an unbiased standpoint he'd be a good signing.

 

[PelagicJoe]

PK Subban and Nazem Kadri could be nice additions along with Forsberg. Any thoughts?

 

[ridilon]

PK Subban and Nazem Kadri could be nice additions along with Forsberg. Any thoughts?

Kadri & Subban are too far on the wrong side of 30 for me. Forsberg for sure. Signing him with either Ristolainen or Lindholm and you've got something. Hope that we have a Seider repeat with Edvinsson (obviously highly unlikely) or Johansson steps in nicely and DRW are looking quite competitive. Hertl just as good an option as Forsberg.

 

[Frk It]

PK Subban and Nazem Kadri could be nice additions along with Forsberg. Any thoughts?

Kadri has 49 pts in 33 games. I have to think Colorado wants to keep him around with how he’s played, but if not I imagine he would cost a ton right now.

 

[Cam13Hemi]

If I'm trying to be realistic about a) where our needs fall, and b) who we can realistically attract in UFA, I'd suggest something like this:

1. Back-up goaltender: It's tough to say which direction we go here. If all else fails I wouldn't mind bring back Greiss on a one year deal. Alternatively, you're probably looking at guys like Koskinen, Korpisalo, or Holtby. I'm just going to ballpark it here and suggest we sign someone around for around 1 year at 3.5m, and I doubt we give anyone more than three years.

2. Top 4 LHD: Realistically, we could use two of these. But with our prospect pool, I imagine we don't get too fancy here. I think Lindholm re-signs in Anaheim. Giordano is an interesting play, I wouldn't mind giving him a high AAV on short term, but I think he stays out west. Realistically, I think that Nick Leddy is the candidate here. While I'm not sure how much longer he's worth 5 mil AAV, I recognize you have to pay to attract UFAs, and I don't mind juicing up the price a bit to keep the term short. I'd shoot for 3 years at 15 million (5m AAV). I think that you get two more years of quality top 4 play out of Leddy. During that third year he maybe slots down into the third pairing as our prospects grow into a larger role.

3. Bottom pairing LHD: You could go a million ways here. Like Ogee mentioned, I think Merrill would be a good call back. But I'm not sure he leaves his role on a successful Minnesota team. I still see Oesterle as a 7D. The boring answer here is that we probably bring back Danny Dekeyser or Marc Staal in the ballpark of 1 year at 1.25m. Personally I prefer Staal's game, but I could see an argument that Dekeyser might be a safer bet if he's played in a smaller role on shorter minutes.

4. Bottom six penalty kill specialist/grit and energy guy: Personally, I would let both Gagner and Rowney walk this summer. Namestnikov I could go either way, I think I'd only bring back one of him or Fabbri. I would selfishly bring in Larkin's former Wolverine teammate Tyler Motte in the ballpark of 2 years at 3 million (1.5m AAV). I think he helps improve our penalty kill and fills the Gagner role with a bit more sandpaper. This also leaves flexibility to let Tyler walk during the summer that we need to re-sign all of Larkin, Raymond, and Seider.

5. Middle six winger: While imperfect, I think that Robby Fabbri has done a solid job providing depth scoring, and I would bring him back in the ballpark of 3 years at 9.75 million (3.25m AAV). If Yzerman feels confident that Berggren can step in and fill Fabbri's role next year, then maybe you let him walk. I could go either way on it personally, we'll see how the year progresses.

6. Second line center: People won't like it, but that's fine - it's my post. I would sign Nazem Kadri for as high as 4 years at 32 million (8m AAV). I'm open to other options, but I really really really really really don't want to play Suter or Veleno at 2C next season. I get nauseous at the possibility of further pseudo 2Cs like Dylan Strome, Ryan Strome, or Max Domi. I'm open-minded to guys like Trochek or Hertl but they will easily command 7 years and 8m+ AAV. Any qualified candidate we could trade for will cost serious assets, and I think that stings more than overpaying a free agent does. I think that Kadri would be a good stop gap and allow us this draft and next to find and develop a future top 6C.

7. RFAs: I'd re-sign Zadina and Stephens. I could see Zadina getting a Rasmussen-esque 3 year at 4.5 million (1.5m AAV). Stephens? Idk, probably like 1 year at 750k.

For returning RFA and UFA players, Greiss is paid the same, Stephens is paid the same, Leddy takes a $500k cut, Staal takes a $500k cut, Fabrri gets a ~$500k raise, and Zadina gets a ~1m raise. A net of $5ook spent in re-signing RFAs and UFAs.

For new UFAs, we add Kadri's 8m and Motte's 1.5m for a total of 11.5m. So in total, you're "adding" ~12 m in RFA and UFA spending.

Who walks: In this scenario, Danny Dekeyser (5m), Troy Stetcher (1.7m), Vladislav Namestnikov (2m), Carter Rowney + Sam Gagner (~1.5m together). So in total, you're shedding ~10.25m in UFA departures.

In total, we increase our team cap hit by roughly 1.75 million. I think these moves leave us with plenty of flexibility to re-sign our core pieces while improving the on-ice product. Next year's line-up would be something like

Bertuzzi - Larkin - Raymond
Vrana - Kadri - Zadina
Veleno - Suter - Fabbri
Erne - Rasmussen - Motte
Stephens, Smith

Leddy - Seider
Edvinsson - Hronek
Staal - Lindstrom
Oesterle

Neddy
Greiss

Call-ups: Berggren, Pearson, Sebrango/McIsaac

I really like this although, I think Berggren is going to be pushing for a roster spot next year and would be deserving of top 6 minutes. But, Zadina and Vrana have proven to be great together albeit a short stint at the end of last season. First line shouldn't change, Suter is much better suited for 3rd line matchups. Maybe put Berggren on the third line and move Veleno to the 4th until he settles in a bit more. We REALLY need a guy that can actually fill a 2nd line center role because as it is now we have too many guys playing a line higher than they should.

 

[Cam13Hemi]

Browse - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

It'll probably be someone like McNabb/Cole/Zadorov, I don't see Stevie going after the highly paid guys, they're old.

Problem with free agency is that you gotta overpay by $1M/season and most of these guys are gonna want 4 or 5 years. Not a whole lot of players I feel comfortable signing.

I like Hertl & Forsberg. Evan Rodrigues is intriguing, how's he getting all of his points? Might be interesting to give him a Suter type contract to see if he's the real deal

Evan Rodrigues is playing with Crosby, those numbers aren't remotely close to being real deal.

 

[19 for president]

Looking at the forwards I almost feel like we have to move someone if we are going to bring someone else in. You have Berggy knocking at the door and a very full lineup. You could move Erne down, but I feel like you need some grit on your lines and Bergy doesn't provide that. So if you want him in the lineup you probably need to deal one of Suter, Fabbri, Zadina, or Vrana to really get him a spot. Then if you want a true 2C like a Hertl you are potentially needing to clear another spot. If we can land a center at the draft I'd rather see us grab an aging vet for a couple of years then sign a guy like Hertl or Kadri to a super long term/ big money deal.

Erne-Larkin-Raymond
Bert-Suter- Fabbri
Zadina-Rasmussen-Vrana
Smith-Stephens-Veleno

D is a little more open. We could use a top 4 dman to play with Seider. Ideally another PKer. I think Ed ends up being Hronek's partner next year. Not opposed to making a splurge here on D for a guy like Lindholm, but also ok finding someone more mid. Not 100% opposed to Leddy coming back but I think with Ed/Hronek/Seider on the PP, we could really use a top end PK guy more than another PP guy. Trying not to burn Seider out, and if Staal is our bottom pair guy you can't load up his minutes. Getting another PK for the bottom pair that is a bit younger would let us lean away from that on Seider's pair.

Seider- UFA
Hronek- Edvidsson
Lindstrom- UFA or Staal

Goalie I'm fine bringing back Greiss or another backup. I think we run with Ned as the starter
Ned
Greiss/UFA

 

[Henkka]

Looking at the forwards I almost feel like we have to move someone if we are going to bring someone else in. You have Berggy knocking at the door and a very full lineup.

Think is goes like this on long-term:

D + package for a Center. (Hronek?)

short after
Winger like Fabbri for a D.

Then we have that "same" defence, but added one center to finally find balance to forward lines.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

The right side is pretty set : Seider, Hronek, Lindstrom. I wouldn't be opposed to trading Hronek for some center help though.

The only guy there that you don't add someone to replace is Seier.

 

[Gniwder]

Evan Rodrigues is playing with Crosby, those numbers aren't remotely close to being real deal.

OK thanks. He's listed as W/C, and I don't watch the Pens so I had no idea.

Even Conor Sheary looked good with Crosby, so I get it. Appreciate the answer, just didn't want to watch Penguins highlights or deep dive the stats.

It would be funny to sign Malkin for a couple of years though, especially considering he cost us a Cup. Heck, Tanguay's a coach, we forgive old rivals, right?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

PK Subban and Nazem Kadri could be nice additions along with Forsberg. Any thoughts?

f*** PK Slew-ban. Every time that guy is in the highlights this year it's for a sneaky dirty play.

Nazem Kadri may come completely overpriced. I don't know if the guy would be anywhere near as effective on Detroit. 16 powerpay points in 33 games so far. 49 points total on the season is incredible, but is he really that guy?

Is he propped up by playing on a powerplay with Rantanen, Landeskog, McKinnon and Makar? How much is contract year "peak performance" to boost his next contract? And after he gets that contract, does he revert to 40 point Kadri, 60 point Kadri or does he settle and become a 70-80 point guy?

 

[Mister Ed]

Andrew Copp would be an interesting add to this team. He's good for hits, 40 points and always scores when he's in Detroit! He's 27, from Ann Arbor, Michigan and is paid 3.64M a year right now.

 

[JustJokinenAround]

not free agent but i've seen some places vilardi could be on the move from LA, for a team that needs centers and would give him a real chance to play, i wouldn't mind bringing him in for a mid round pick if possible

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

I think hertl and a stay at home physical dman would be ideal

If we draft a center it'll be 3-5 years before they truly are occupying a top 2 center role.

I'd deal zadina for a prospect center

Bert- Larkin- raymond
Fabbri-hertl-vrana
Bergreen-suter- erne
Rasmussen- valeno-stephens

Seider-ufa
Edvinsson- Hronek
Lindstrom- ufa

 

[Winger98]

f*** PK Slew-ban. Every time that guy is in the highlights this year it's for a sneaky dirty play.

Nazem Kadri may come completely overpriced. I don't know if the guy would be anywhere near as effective on Detroit. 16 powerpay points in 33 games so far. 49 points total on the season is incredible, but is he really that guy?

Is he propped up by playing on a powerplay with Rantanen, Landeskog, McKinnon and Makar? How much is contract year "peak performance" to boost his next contract? And after he gets that contract, does he revert to 40 point Kadri, 60 point Kadri or does he settle and become a 70-80 point guy?

He's 31 years old, this is his 13th year in the league, and his previous season best was .75 ppg. I'm pretty darn confident in saying he's not going to be a 1.5ppg guy going forward.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

He's 31 years old, this is his 13th year in the league, and his previous season best was .75 ppg. I'm pretty darn confident in saying he's not going to be a 1.5ppg guy going forward.

That's how I feel about it as well. I just don't see any way Kadri scores even 70 points a season in a DRW uniform.

Kadri rubs me the wrong way with how he makes boneheaded plays to get himself suspended when his teams need him the most. He just doesn't seem like a good fit for the money I'd expect him to demand.

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Kadri on a second line with Vrana and Berggren would I think be capable of 60-70 point seasons, depending on Berggren's development and how/if the PP improves and where he would fit on it. Also, the sooner we find out if Kadri's playoff travails continue in a Wings' uniform, the better. He seems to be all business this year; maybe he's too busy putting up points and thinking about his next contract to act up. Still, he's easily a second-choice (or later) behind Hertl, who would be a massive and consequential addition if it came about.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

Kadri's age can be a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for this summer. He's likely the only legitimate top six center who won't command 7/8 years of term.

If Kadri is willing to sign for four or less years, where Kadri and Trochek for example might demand seven years, I could see where Kadri might be more attractive.

 

[abbbaron]

Don't see Yzerman chasing the big names because realistically the only reason those guys would sign in Detroit is because Yzerman would have to pay top dollar. So no thank you.
A really nice non-top tier signing could be McNabb. Guy can actually play defense and free up his partner (Doughty played some of his best hockey paired with McNabb, Schmidt definitely played his best hockey paired with McNabb...), lefty, might only cost 3.5-4mil depending on the term. Just don't know if he would have us, so...maybe trade for him at the deadline already? Vegas is going to have a hard time clearing space for golden boy and it's foregone that McNabb won't be brought back and they've got some young blueliners that have taken big steps this year, so maybe they already move McNabb deadline, and even though the Wings will be outside looking in I'd be happy to see Yzerman try before he buys.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Andrew Copp would be an interesting add to this team. He's good for hits, 40 points and always scores when he's in Detroit! He's 27, from Ann Arbor, Michigan and is paid 3.64M a year right now.

I like Copp as a good, versatile option for us. I think he can play in a lot of different roles for us up and down the lineup and can play some in the middle. He is a good, hard-nosed player and is the best realistic option up front for us in terms of UFAs in my opinion. The financial commitment to land him won't sting as much as some of the bigger prizes.

I too like the idea of throwing big money after Kadri for two years. I don't think he will bite, but it is a sound strategy.