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Yesterday, I wrote about the gap between Detroit and Vrana. His ask of 5.7million was very nearly granted as the speedy winger signed a 3 year extension with a 5.25M AAV. His ask was exactly what Mantha had been signed for (5.7). Vrana came in nearly half a million less and a year shorter on the term. That’s a nice bit of work by Yzerman.
So, at this point, only Vrana and Rasmussen are on the roster after next season. That is still some amazing flexibility there. Hronek could extend beyond, but think of that. An almost completely empty slate come 23/24. Yzerman has made quick work of picking the roster that he wants.
Vrana is now the second highest paid forward on the team, tied with Frans Nielsen for 5.25. Larkin sits at 6.1, and Bertuzzi at 4.75. That means this year’s (projected) top line costs a total of 16.1 million. If everyone on that line can break 20 goals (I know some of you think that will not happen) it will be a solid return for that type of money. I’m (hoping) that the top line can score near 80 goals this year. That would be something special.
With just over 20 million in cap space, only three more signings are in limbo. Erne, Smith and Hronek. Nielsen’s 5.25M is off the books after this year. All but three defensemen (Staal, Leddy, Dekeyser,) expire freeing up 19.2 million. Add Nielsen to that, and 25 million is coming off the books after this season just in those players. Namestnikov (2m) and Fabbri (2.95M) both expire as well. Fabbri could well be extended. Not sure about Vlad. That’s nearly 30 million off the books, and at this point no player making more than 6.1 million (and only one of those).
This aspect of the rebuild is really interesting and exciting. Going from a team with way too many vets eating cap space and unable to play to a young team with short manageable deals. It took Yzerman 2 seasons to purge most of those deals. That may be a record.
Vrana is the best scoring winger on the current configuration. I’d like to see he and a healthy Larkin skate head to head. Both have “wheels”, to be sure. Zadina is also fairly explosive at times. (He had some backchecking highlights last year). The core age is mid 20s, and the “Captain” continues to work on bringing in players who can contribute. Pius Suter is generating a good deal of buzz as online writers “grade” Detroit’s moves this summer. I am excited to see what he brings to the second line.
Let me know what you think. I can’t imagine anyone thinks this was a “bad” deal. Now and then, I get surprised. I have to imagine most of you are happy this is done, ready to get Hronek wrapped up.
Check out some of my previous posts:
Yesterday, I wrote about the gap between Detroit and Vrana.
Detroit still doesn’t have a top 6 right shot forward.
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”.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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