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There are a couple of caveats in this. First, the assumption that Danielson and Axel Sandin Pellikka will have at least some time in Grand Rapids. This also goes with the assumption that Edvinsson will be slotted in on the 2nd line and Jake W. Is back and healthy paired with Seider. Buium seems like a likely candidate for Grand Rapids as well.
Detroit added scoring this past year. Unfortunately, it looks like Patrick Kane (or at least sounds like from the interviews) may be moving on. It will be difficult to find a point per game player especially at the price point Kane came in at (obviously not for the entire season) so the points will have to come by committee.
It seems as though there will be some sort of goalie carousel until Cossa is ready to grab a spot (or potentially Augustine in a couple years). At this point, it may make sense to have Lyon slotted as the starter with Husso sharing a fairly equal load. Still, the goals against has to go down. This brings me to the two positions I’d like to see addressed (potentially in free agency).
Money will likely have to go out. If Danielson continues to grow in a positive direction this could be a shorter term fix (assuming Kasper starts out on the wing whenever he gets a shot). My main concerns are a right side defender to help Edvinsson continue to adjust and a top 6 center. Though it feels unlikely, finding a way to move Copp may be ideal. He’s found a place where he was thriving but at the salary point it’s not an ideal situation. Here are some thoughts, starting with right side defenders:
I’m using Cap Friendly for salary, status, age information. There could well be som mistakes, and I apologize for those up front.
Free Agents:
Matt Dumba - this may not hit everyone the same way, but Tampa Bay will continue to have cap issues with an estimated 16 players signed and a projected 10m in space, one of those players being Steven Stamkos. Detroit has shown interest in Dumba in the past. However, Dumba really wants to contend for a cup. It may be a hard sell.
Brett Pesce - this is a pipe dream. It would be hard to imagine that Brett and Carolina won’t work things out unless something goes horribly wrong.
Sean Durzi - another pipe dream, but with a caveat. Arizona is in a very bizarre place. The players are not happy while the shift to Utah is underway. This is an RFA with arbitration so it would be almost impossible to pry him away without a trade. This would also be a contender for a longer tenure if you could pull it off. It just doesn’t seem likely.
Matt Roy - hometown kid on an L.A. Team with 20m in space but a good chunk of players that need new deals. At 29 this may be a deal Detroit can pull off if he has any interest in moving.
There are likely trades out there. The situation in Arizona (now Utah) is an absolute debacle with players feeling like they don’t know where to go and what to do. The NHLPA had enough of the college stadium setup and started to push hard last year. Other teams are capped out and one big development is happening in Canada that will hit teams who use signing bonuses. If you’re not aware, Tavares is in legal action against the government as they changed the 16% tax on bonuses to 38% and he’s the only player that has been reported to be hit. But, legislation is happening to do this to all lump sum gains which isn’t going to make a few people too happy whose take home was really good under the old law.
The playoffs, revenue and other issues are going to make the trade market. If things go well, prices will be dictated by teams. If not, teams with 13 -15 players and only about 10m in cap space may have to make tough decisions.
Let me know who you’re looking at (if anyone) as a right side D upgrade.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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