Montreal
15 OA pick
Ville Husso (1 year cap dump)
Detroit
Mike Matheson
Owen Beck
Think Detroit is gonna be after a different type of dman if they move that pick for a Top 4 blue liner. Someone who has some offense, but just doesn’t play so wide open at times. Someone who can play more of a structured game. More of a Shea Theodore type.
The Wings are now at a different stage building their roster. Seider and Edvinsson are pretty much penciled in to being their primary “Pair Carrying” Dmen for the next 7-10 years, so you always have to be careful bringing in a guy who is so unpredictable. It’s different if one develops in your system like ASP, Wallinder and Gibson (you deal with it, make trades, etc) but you have to be careful using assets and big money for such a wild card dman… At least under these circumstances. Doesn’t mean only offensive dman do this either. Ben Chiarot struggles with it. Trying to do too much, not knowing where to pick his spots, or better yet, recognize that he’s a much better supporting, role playing Dman, than someone who’s gonna drive the ship every night.
Good bet too, the Wings will be the front runner to sign Detroit native Matt Roy, if he makes it to July 1, and as of right now, that appears to be the case. His attributes are perfect for what they want, with his hits, blocked shots, and solid all around, structured game. Who can be a Grade A supporting role player on defense, to upgrade Edvinsson’s partner going forward. Even if they trade for another Dman at the draft, it’s safe to say Matt Roy is Detroit’s most likely UFA target, carrying on Detroit’s recent trend of bringing in Detroit natives, who want to play for the team.
From everything being thrown around, Detroit’s going into the off-season with Seider, Chiarot, Edvinsson and Petry. Everything else will build on that, whether with newcomers or what they have under contract. Plus, neither Petry nor Chiarot will likely see another contract in Detroit. It’s also no secret why Johansson has been playing on the right side in Grand Rapids over the last month. He’s likely gonna be #6/7 and split time with Petry (mainly) next year.
If they add Matt Roy, you’re looking at one more, and that’s the spot where a big trade could happen. Whether it happens pre/post draft.
We’re already hearing the Maatta speculation, as they start clearing some players out. Good bet he’s gone prior to the draft for a 3rd Rd pick (Utah), and we’ll likely start hearing about Walman being shopped too. Possibly in any trade with this pick. As for Holl, they should be able to trade him, even if they had to keep a million, but if not, they’ll likely buy him out. As for Ghost, it’s probably a wait and see thing. If they can clear those guys out, and don’t see an option to bring someone in for that role, then they’ll probably resign him. If Ghost gets a big contract as a UFA, they’ll look at someone like a Justin Schultz to fill that role. There’s gonna be options if they don’t trade for a Dman, to maintain the offense Ghost generated.
So they’re going to turnover some of that blue line, and 100% would trade that pick, in a deal for the right dman. Think that definition is much closer to a Shea Theodore than a Matheson though.
One other thing that’s out there. Do NOT be surprised if the 15OA is involved in any type trade. Even for a forward, but more specifically a goaltender, rather than a Dman. Don’t discount Saros to Detroit. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if Saros or Markstrom is Detroit’s starting goaltender next season. They really will need someone they can count on as Cossa and Augustine start making a push. Augustine is way ahead of any schedule they had envisioned when they drafted him last year. You’re not on the National Team as a 19 year old kid, just for the fun of it. He can still play World Juniors again in December, but played in the World Championships yesterday. There’s no development curve with him being a big goaltender, who’s body has to catch up to his skills, like we see in today’s NHL. He’s much more of a natural talent like a Carter Hart was.
But yea, starting to hear Detroit is gonna likely do some things on the blue line, to surround Seider and Edvinsson with quality partners moving forward. Where contracts are tiered to fall of the books, as the years go by, making room for more of their stable of young Dmen. More of a detailed plan, than just filling spots with NHL caliber players, like they have been.
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