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In my previous post we looked at the core vs the core values that Yzerman has put into place. In reality, the core players aren’t a settled issue. It’s getting closer, but the pieces are still moving.
Here is Detroit’s cap friendly page. Yzerman has done a masterful job in keeping contracts short and allowing others to expire. Only 3 players listed on the current roster have deals past this season. Larkin (1 more season), Panik (1 more season) and newcomer Wyatt Newpower (1 more season). Namestnikov, Nielsen, Fabbri, Dekeyser, Stecher and Greiss are all on their final seasons. Yzerman has 17 free agents on the current roster (9 RFA, 8 UFA) and it’s rumored that he’s looking at one year deals for a few of them.
All that blank space is impressive. 22/23 has only 3 players so far. That will likely change as deals are done this summer, but for now just enjoy the potential. It’s a long way from the past years of veterans locked in and cap space locked up.
17 player spots open, “The Captain” could literally bring in almost an entire new team. The only team with fewer committed cap dollars right now is Seattle who sits a $0 on Cap Friendly. I don’t remember a time in history where the roster was this wide open.
In the past 2 years, a few of you have mentioned “weaponizing” cap space. Yzerman is in an unprecedented place to be able to do that. But, he’s also willing to walk away if a deal doesn’t hold the right value. He’s not in the business of bailouts. If a player comes in, the return and value will be up to his standards.
This came to a head for me as Bill Guerin made an incredibly gutsy move buying out two contracts that no one thought would both be gone at the same time. He’s prioritized the future over unmet expectations. Suter and Parise will probably find a contender (possibly as a pair) and take a lot less money to try and finally lift a cup. Guerin will be able to protect younger players and open up some spots.
Many of you feel ready to move on from the Nielsen era. (The Nielsen ratings haven’t been stellar - see what I did there?). At this point, it’s keep him for one last year or pay for 2. He can be waived and the team doesn’t need his full cap space at this point. Yzerman could still well take the option, but at this point I understand if he doesn’t. At the latest, at the end of this season Nielsen’s time will have expired. More than likely, Dekeyser will be moving on as well. Yzerman has nearly wiped the slate clean of veteran deals after 2 seasons.
Perhaps we should have an over/under. How many new faces will Detroit see this year? 5? 10? Yzerman has shown the ability to say “take it or leave it” on dollars, and that makes sense (word play is overflowing today).
The lack of certainty on the roster makes one thing certain. Steve Yzerman is in overhaul mode and speedy rebuild. Reset button has been forcefully punched locked down. More stop gap players will be brought in, but on the right terms and for the right reasons. It’s no longer a band-aid on a leaking dam. The water is drained and the concrete has been poured. New day, new dam.
Let me know where you think this offseason is heading. Full RFA pool brought back? Any UFAs? Or will an entire line (or two) be brought in. It’s fun to speculate, and there’s no lack of options. We’ll see the spots be filled over the coming weeks, but I have an idea that the Captain has a few surprises up his sleeve. As always, I’ll see you in the comments.
Check out some of my previous posts
My fourth “gear corner” focused on equipment for special events.
The Canadiens have to get down to business after the post season ended.
my previous article covered some of the top UFA right shooting forwards available.
The expansion draft is swiftly approaching.
In my third installment of Summer Reading, Chelios found out exactly what Yzerman was like as a leader..
My third “Gear Corner” focused on helmets.
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”.
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