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Alex Tanguay is a new assistant coach in Detroit. It’s an exciting development, and a fresh approach to getting more goals out of the team. It will be interesting to see if working with a recently retired player will help the young guns.
Here is the link to the Isle’s Cap Friendly page. One of the first things to notice is that Lou is without a first round pick and don’t have their own second round pick (they have Colorado’s, which will be higher than their’s would have been). Still, the clean shaven GM may be looking to get back into the first and obtain another second. This year’s draft is so wide open, especially for teams that have done intense European scouting. Lou may believe that good players could slip late into the first or into the second.
With 6 UFAs and 4 RFAs from the current roster on expiring deals, there is work to be done. There are no contracts over 7 million, and the departing UFAs are veterans for the most part. There isn’t a lot of work to be done, though the team does have limited cap space at around 5.7 million. Anthony Beauvillier could be in for a decent raise with 2 seasons of 18 goals and 15 in this past shortened season. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin needs a new deal as well, and that may be where Lou has to make decisions.
In terms of needs for Detroit, I look at left defense (Leddy), Center (i don’t think any would be available), Goalie (Sorokin) and scoring wing (Eberle). Those are names that may have to be looked at, though finding the right fit in trade isn’t a guarantee.
The team will have to make a goalie available, and Sorokin should be getting a nice raise. I can’t imagine Lou being willing to part with the 25 year old RFA, but that would be a worthwhile investigation for Yzerman. Varlamov has a modified no trade (16 team) and so has a certain amount of leverage on where he would go.
If Lou needs to move a player for space, Eberle is 31 and has 3 more seasons at 5.5. He also has a modified no trade (16 team) clause. Depending on what could be included in that package (or the take back) Lou could certainly garner some interest for the former Oiler. Of course, Nick Leddy would always be a welcome left side D if that’s a move they’ll consider. However, with Chicago moving Keith and looking at brining in Hamilton or Jones, Stan may be in on a reunion. With only one year left at 5 million Leddy is a good stop gap as well as possible mentor.
This is a tough read. A couple of decent raises are needed, but I have no clue what Lou would be willing to move. Sorokin would be a nice get (but is it realistic?), for sure. A young goalie in the system that has some playoff experience now would certainly be welcome. Past that, there’s not a lot in players that Lou may be willing to part with that could help Detroit.
The Isles made an impressive go of it, taking Tampa to the limit. I have to admire how well Lou has set things up and how Trotz makes it all work. I don’t know that this is a team where Yzerman can take advantage of the need to shed money or avoid losing a player to Seattle. It’s always worth examining, and Yzerman has certainly gone over the roster during due diligence.
Let me know if you see a good fit here. Who do you think could be brought into the fold, and what’s the price? I’ll see you in the comments.
Check out some of my previous posts
Alex Tanguay is a new assistant coach in Detroit.
I posted about the state of the Wings being at about half of the team it needs to be..
Frank Seravalli’s top 20 list has some options for Detroit.
My second summer reading post took a look at the world’s funniest bar fight.
My second “Gear Corner” talked a bit about gloves.
The Golden Knights are out of the playoffs.
Updated mock drafts have Detroit looking at Wallstedt, Eklund and Edvinsson.
Helm and Filppula could be moving on.
Jared McIsaac may finally be healthy enough to have a solid pro year.
My first “summer reading post” covered Chelios’s career defining fib.
Friday was my first gear corner with Doug Todd from Warrior Hockey.
Albert Johansson won’t be competing for a spot in North America this season
I will be featuring the writings of Kevin Allen for a summer reading program this year. It’s tough to break up the summer months, and the one on one formats that Kevin has perfected is not only a pleasure to read but gives insight that isn’t easy to come by. I’ll be starting with Chris Chelios “Made in America”.
Colorado is out of the playoffs.
Isle be darned, Boston is out 
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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