Jeremy Laura: Detroit Red Wings upcoming free agents - who stays or moves up, who will go

Great insights, Jeremy. Lots to digest. On the surface; Kane, Lyon, Veleno, and AlJo. Lets the kids round out the roster.....BUT, reality has to figure into my rationale!! That would ve a pretty big step backwards for a bit of the season, maybe more if the kids don't pan out - could be a train-wreck and set the rebuild back for several years.

Lyon's younger, cheaper, less of a body of work to use for leverage. I feel like Cossa will make the team - his 1 game was impressive, calm, steady, great puck-awareness......frees up room for Augie to come to GR.

MBN, ASP....both in GR. I think Buch will be as well. Wally & Tuimisto should get a call-up at the end of the season unless we in the SCPO, need to see what they have. Great body of work so far......ShyBo's interesting, he's not his brother, but has a good skill set. Therein lies the issue; other than GR, how do we assess all the kids? That's the key, for me anyway, to see who stays & who goes. I think Mazur's on the Big Club, Danielson needs a bit more time.

This is a pivitol year; kids have to show or we we keep going down the current road? ToddMac is the change agent we needed, wonder what he can do with this new crop of hungry kids???

Great insights, Jeremy. Lots to digest. On the surface; Kane, Lyon, Veleno, and AlJo. Lets the kids round out the roster.....BUT, reality has to figure into my rationale!! That would ve a pretty big step backwards for a bit of the season, maybe more if the kids don't pan out - could be a train-wreck and set the rebuild back for several years.

Lyon's younger, cheaper, less of a body of work to use for leverage. I feel like Cossa will make the team - his 1 game was impressive, calm, steady, great puck-awareness......frees up room for Augie to come to GR.

MBN, ASP....both in GR. I think Buch will be as well. Wally & Tuimisto should get a call-up at the end of the season unless we in the SCPO, need to see what they have. Great body of work so far......ShyBo's interesting, he's not his brother, but has a good skill set. Therein lies the issue; other than GR, how do we assess all the kids? That's the key, for me anyway, to see who stays & who goes. I think Mazur's on the Big Club, Danielson needs a bit more time.

This is a pivitol year; kids have to show or we we keep going down the current road? ToddMac is the change agent we needed, wonder what he can do with this new crop of hungry kids???
- mcmastermike1968

It’s been interesting to see Johansson and Soderblom for sure. Would love to see Augustine in Grand Rapids. I did contact a few teams overseas but the language barrier isn’t always easy. MBN, really low production this year. GR may still be the best spot for him. ASP feels more than ready. The 2021 class seems to have several players who are pushing. Was going through all the picks last night and, trying to confirm, but it looks like we may have one doing the move from the CHL to the NCAA (possibly to michigan State)

Kind of off-topic... but one prospect who intrigues me is Dmitri Buchelnikov. Won the faster skater in the KHL recently. Check out these really good summaries on him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzWrMmyE8c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGLll68vwHE

This kid could really be a hidden gem with a high ceiling. He's 22, so it's about time to get him over here in GR to take a look at him. Looks like he could have a high ceiling with his skating / shot / offensive creativity. Been playing very well in the KHL.

Make offers to the RFAs. I don't think any of the upcoming UFAs are essential re-signs.

Kane I'd probably be comfortable bringing back on something similar to his current deal, but with much harder-to-hit performance bonuses. I think he has always been a better player than his advanced stats (which have always been middling for a player of his caliber) suggest -- the way he creates offense seems to be especially hard to track with public xG models. Even so, at his age he's a bit of a powerplay merchant with some very real drawbacks at even strength. $4m base with some meaningful targets (e.g., 60+ points) he needs to hit to earn more would be reasonable.

Motte, Fischer, Petry, Lagesson, Watson are all replacement level at best. I wouldn't exactly be upset if, say, one of Fischer or Motte returned on a league-minimum deal, because you gotta have somebody to play on your fourth line. But it clearly doesn't have to be them either.

Lyon is a decent goalie and seems like a good dude. If he and Talbot were both on expiring deals I would at least consider choosing him over Cam due to the age difference (even though Talbot has historically been the better goalie, even when giving Lyon credit for consistently great AHL production). But I really think Cossa needs to be on the team next year, at least as the NHL backup. That doesn't leave a whole lot of room for both Talbot AND Lyon, and Talbot has a year left.

Would love to see ASP in Detroit next year. He's been lights out as a teenager in the SHL (IMO a better league than the AHL) and entering DY+3. I know they're different types of players, but it's worth noting that Seider made the Red Wings in DY+3 and was an impact player immediately. I suspect he (and ASP) could have made the team partway through DY+2 if they'd been playing in North America already.

Kind of off-topic... but one prospect who intrigues me is Dmitri Buchelnikov. Won the faster skater in the KHL recently. Check out these really good summaries on him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzWrMmyE8c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGLll68vwHE

This kid could really be a hidden gem with a high ceiling. He's 22, so it's about time to get him over here in GR to take a look at him. Looks like he could have a high ceiling with his skating / shot / offensive creativity. Been playing very well in the KHL.
- Vladdie_Kon1

So, from my seat, I'd do whatever I could to get him to NA. The reason I didn't say too much is because I've no clue how it works to get him here. IF WE CAN: This kid's gonna be VERY special, and I want him here....NOW.

Good call, Vlad.

Make offers to the RFAs. I don't think any of the upcoming UFAs are essential re-signs.

Kane I'd probably be comfortable bringing back on something similar to his current deal, but with much harder-to-hit performance bonuses. I think he has always been a better player than his advanced stats (which have always been middling for a player of his caliber) suggest -- the way he creates offense seems to be especially hard to track with public xG models. Even so, at his age he's a bit of a powerplay merchant with some very real drawbacks at even strength. $4m base with some meaningful targets (e.g., 60+ points) he needs to hit to earn more would be reasonable.

Motte, Fischer, Petry, Lagesson, Watson are all replacement level at best. I wouldn't exactly be upset if, say, one of Fischer or Motte returned on a league-minimum deal, because you gotta have somebody to play on your fourth line. But it clearly doesn't have to be them either.

Lyon is a decent goalie and seems like a good dude. If he and Talbot were both on expiring deals I would at least consider choosing him over Cam due to the age difference (even though Talbot has historically been the better goalie, even when giving Lyon credit for consistently great AHL production). But I really think Cossa needs to be on the team next year, at least as the NHL backup. That doesn't leave a whole lot of room for both Talbot AND Lyon, and Talbot has a year left.

Would love to see ASP in Detroit next year. He's been lights out as a teenager in the SHL (IMO a better league than the AHL) and entering DY+3. I know they're different types of players, but it's worth noting that Seider made the Red Wings in DY+3 and was an impact player immediately. I suspect he (and ASP) could have made the team partway through DY+2 if they'd been playing in North America already.
- Sven22

OK, WHO LET HOCKEY EINSTEIN IN THE CHAT?!?!?!?

Spot-on w/ASP, kid's the real deal. I worry about Talbot's age, but both of them have had injury problems....and as I age, I know how long it takes me to recover, cannot imagine how a G who's aging goes through recovery. Not sure GRG would have to call up,l. But you have seriously valid points......as usual.

All the UFA's can go, Lyon too, Kane will be a 50/50 decision. Lyon will have his 1st real chance at a good contract of about $4M x 3-4 years, Wings need to bring Cossa up. They could sign Lyon and trade Cam and bring Cossa up, but Cam and Cossa would be a good 1 yr pairing, leaving more flexibility for the next year. So it is better to let Lyon have his shot elsewhere. Maybe CBJ.
Trading for Dobson now is intriguing to me. Give the Isles Berggren a protected top 10 1st, and Wallinder. ASP could start next year on the 3rd pairing and be broken in gently with the more limited ice time. If both of ASP and Dobson are excelling, you trade one for a position of need by the next season. A very good RD always sells high!
need to trade off Copp and Compher and finally nail down a true 2C. I don't see one coming out of GR. Maybe Kasper can step up by next season, but I don't see it.

All the UFA's can go, Lyon too, Kane will be a 50/50 decision. Lyon will have his 1st real chance at a good contract of about $4M x 3-4 years, Wings need to bring Cossa up. They could sign Lyon and trade Cam and bring Cossa up, but Cam and Cossa would be a good 1 yr pairing, leaving more flexibility for the next year. So it is better to let Lyon have his shot elsewhere. Maybe CBJ.
Trading for Dobson now is intriguing to me. Give the Isles Berggren a protected top 10 1st, and Wallinder. ASP could start next year on the 3rd pairing and be broken in gently with the more limited ice time. If both of ASP and Dobson are excelling, you trade one for a position of need by the next season. A very good RD always sells high!
need to trade off Copp and Compher and finally nail down a true 2C. I don't see one coming out of GR. Maybe Kasper can step up by next season, but I don't see it.
- HenryHockey

Hey, H. Good read. The more feedback and suggestions I see, the more I agree that Lyon should/could be let go. I have to keep reminding myself that we're not under the "play the kids every other game because.....reason" concept of the previous coach, so Cossa could be brought up and get more playing time. Your proposal makes sense, AND we get Cossa.....and he's not a slouch NOW, imagine what he'll be after 1/2 a season under his belt.

Now, Dobson: I seriously think Yawns & TM could bring him along to being a viable asset - I use AlJo as an example of what they can do. Dobson would be a good pick up, although there are some reservations (heard something from Eliot and there was a brief clip on Chiclets a while back....). Add him to ASP, Wally, ShiBo....that's a pretty solid back end in 2yrs or so. The Eddy/AlJo pairing is just amazing to watch NOW, cannot imagine having someone like ASP/Wally/ShiBo/Tooey added to the mix. Throw in Dobson.....dang.

We definitely need a 2C....like you, not sure we're going to grow one quicky enough. Someone needs to be trade bait - Bergy's showing off well, but we'll need more to entice a good 2C trade. Who's available in UFA this year? That may be how we end up doing vs trade/grow one.

Hey, H. Good read. The more feedback and suggestions I see, the more I agree that Lyon should/could be let go. I have to keep reminding myself that we're not under the "play the kids every other game because.....reason" concept of the previous coach, so Cossa could be brought up and get more playing time. Your proposal makes sense, AND we get Cossa.....and he's not a slouch NOW, imagine what he'll be after 1/2 a season under his belt.

Now, Dobson: I seriously think Yawns & TM could bring him along to being a viable asset - I use AlJo as an example of what they can do. Dobson would be a good pick up, although there are some reservations (heard something from Eliot and there was a brief clip on Chiclets a while back....). Add him to ASP, Wally, ShiBo....that's a pretty solid back end in 2yrs or so. The Eddy/AlJo pairing is just amazing to watch NOW, cannot imagine having someone like ASP/Wally/ShiBo/Tooey added to the mix. Throw in Dobson.....dang.

We definitely need a 2C....like you, not sure we're going to grow one quicky enough. Someone needs to be trade bait - Bergy's showing off well, but we'll need more to entice a good 2C trade. Who's available in UFA this year? That may be how we end up doing vs trade/grow one.
- mcmastermike1968

Available 2C's: Tavares, Bennett, B Nelson, Giroux, Duchene, Benn, Granlund, Gourde. JT would be great, but the Lafs would be foolish to let him go if he will sign below $8M AAV for 3-4 yrs. Brock Nelson or Sam Bennett might make it to FA. Noone else is worth the committment.

So, from my seat, I'd do whatever I could to get him to NA. The reason I didn't say too much is because I've no clue how it works to get him here. IF WE CAN: This kid's gonna be VERY special, and I want him here....NOW.

Good call, Vlad.
- mcmastermike1968

Basically, i think the team/player would have to buy out his last contract year. Really want to see him over here too. ASP and Augustine are players that are more than ready to make the jump to GR with ASP looking at a possible call up. He needs weight though. Those 15 foot differences change the game a lot

Re-sign Kane if he wants to stay for one more year.

I might re-sign Watson but for GR. I don't think he can make the Wings anymore.

Re-sign the RFAs.

Lyon is tough choice. I kind of want to keep him but i also want Cossa up with the Wings for next season. He might get a bit more money and term somewhere else and i wouldn't be mad at him for taking it.

The rest of the UFAs i would just let go. Nothing there really that makes much of a difference and they can all be upgraded on either with prospects or UFAs.