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The second line continues to inch toward improving. We know Zadina has upside. Suter had some beautiful goals last year, but the criticism will continue to be “can he do it without Kane/Debrincat?” Fabbri had a resurgence when he came to Detroit, last season was (again) cut short by injury/sickness. We’re still not in that place to create 4 lines, each with its own talent and intent. Once you successfully do that (if you’re a championship team) it’s hard to keep it together. A cup winner’s third line center becomes the envy of the league, and too expensive for the team to keep. Thankfully, we’re a long way from that being an issue.
So, I continue to chew the fat on what Detroit has. Currently, the two hot ticket RFAs in need of new deals are Hronek and Vrana. Vrana’s will be settled one way or another this coming week. Hronek, I’m sure, is getting some options. Short term/long term, etc. With 25 + in cap space, it’s not a great concern. Erne and Smith need deals, but I don’t see the combined value of those two exceeding 2.75m.
To the task at hand, the issue that has been an issue in the cap era for Detroit. There just aren’t that many right shots on the team. For the first time in a long time, there is plenty on the right side defensively. Seider, Hronek, Stecher, Lindstrom. Hronek being the best Dman on the team at this point, the right side is actually the strength of the core right now. For the forwards, it’s a different story.
The team took a chance on Ryan last season. He had a good start, got derailed. Sam Gagner and Mitchell Stephens are the two right shot forwards on the squad at this point. Both are probably looking at 4th line duties. I’m taking a look at the free agent field and the internal “stock” to see if there is an obvious solution.
Lucas Raymond would have to blow the coaching staff out of the water at training camp to grab a spot. He needs top 6 minutes, and that’s much more likely in Grand Rapids. He would currently probably be considered the highest scoring ceiling of a minor league right shot forward. So, take that off the list for now.
I sorted through remaining UFAs, looking at right shot skaters and sorted by goals scored. Palmieri scored the most of this bunch (10) and i expect him to sign with the Isles or someone who can win something. Right behind hind him (get it?) Alex Chaisson scored 9 goals in 45 games with Edmonton. At 30, probably not interested in the rebuild. Travis Zajac scored 8 in 46 games, Bobby Ryan scored 7 in 33 games. That’s actually a decent clip, and I wonder if Yzerman would offer a PTO for Ryan. Colton Sceviour scored 5 in 36 games. Jake Virtanen scored 5 in 38. Nikita Gusev scored 4 in 31 games.
The jump out candidate for “reclamation” is Virtanen. Only 24 and from the same draft Yzerman seems to love to take chances on. Larkin, Fabbri, Vrana all from the same first round. Perlini had a season here as well. Virtanen is considered to be toxic by some (as was DeAngelo, same draft). He’s had some very serious legal issues. This is someone who would have to have a “come to Jesus” moment in life. (Forgive the terminology). He’s at an age and a place where a commitment to the “straight and narrow” could open an opportunity for him. I don’t know if this is the spot for him, but it’s a name to keep track of.
I’d hoped (beyond hope) to get Jordan Eberle. That’s a player that I just tend to like (for whatever reason). Seattle grabbed him. It seems to be tough for Detroit to grab and hold on to a right shot forward. When I go through the old championship videos, there was a nice depth there for the playoffs. Shanahan and Lapointe are some of my favorite playoff righty’s.
Look, it’s not “critical” to have right shot forwards on every line. It’s nice, it’s a completely different look on the off wing. But Detroit has had an embarrassment of left shot riches in its history and on its winners. I do think it adds a complexity to the team in offensive zone faceoffs and power plays. It’s something I’d like to see Detroit get ahold of.
There were some interesting points made recently by some of the rumor mills. The closer players get to September without a job and teams get with cap issues, the better the deal and the return. We’re sort of in the “dog days” after 2 drafts and a free agent frenzy. Teams will have to make decisions on players, and players will have to make decisions about employment. Guaranteed money is better than a PTO, and anything is better than nothing.
Take a look at the list. Is there anyone you think could easily be brought into the fray? The least stressful and best fit at this point may be Ryan on a PTO. Is Virtanen worth a gamble on a 1 year? Anyone else that you can flip at the deadline? Let me know your thoughts.
Check out some of my previous posts:
The second line continues to inch toward improving.
I have high (possibly too high) hopes for the top line this year.
The Griffins are worth the drive, at least I think so.
My third “looking forward” looked at Pius Suter.
My second “looking forward” focused on Alex Nedeljkovic.
My first “looking forward” talked about Moritz Seider.
Jakub Vrana and Adam Erne have filed for arbitration.
I posted “The Winged Wheel season 3, ep 1”
I posted Yzerman’s Zoom call
I posted Pius Suter’s Zoom call
I did a wrap up of the “Frenzy”.
Pius Suter highlighted the opening day of free agency.
Yesterday was a free agency “primer”
Svechnikov was not qualified by Wings, and Lindstrom signed for 2 years.
Marc Staal returns for 1 year, 2M
I posted my final thoughts about the 2021 draft
Day 2 of the 2021 draft can be found here
You can take a look at Detroit’s first round results here.
Yzerman extended Rasmussen and acquired Alex Nedeljkovic yesterday.
Seattle has selected Dennis Cholowski.
While we wait on RFA contract status for Detroit
RedWings TV did a quick hit on centers MacTavish and Lusius as possible draft targets
Detroit acquired Leddy for Panik, 52nd pick
The market for Zack Hyman is blowing up.
Yzerman has kept contracts short and sweet. 
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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