Jeremy Laura: Red Wings need to fix defense - prospects, offer sheets, free agents, trade

There is only 3 UFA defensemen worth signing imo. Ekblad, Gavrikov and Fabbro. I wouldn't look at the others.

I don't think offer-sheets will work much this off-season. Most teams have cap space to match and could simply move other players to get some cap space or use a buyout on a bad contract.

UFAs and trades will be the options to improve.

I don't think ASP will make the team next season and Tuomisto is bottom pairing at best.

Wings need to improve a couple of things this off-season:

#1 is PK. You can't be dead last on the PK and expect to make the playoffs.

#2 is 5 on 5 scoring (scoring depth also)...this team was tied for top 5 worst for 5 on 5 scoring with the Sharks.

#3 is physical play and toughness. This team is way too soft and needs a proper physical checking line that can create some havoc on the forecheck and chip in some offense.

ASP would be the same age as Seider was when he made the team out of camp, his SHL/European pro resume is about equally good, and he’s been great at the WJC two years in a row.

On paper he seems like he would be ready to step into a top 6 NHL role next season. I understand that the game isn’t played on paper and he may ultimately need some more seasoning (or Yzerman could simply decide to start him in the AHL no matter what). But I hope he gets every opportunity to make the opening night lineup and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t.

I’ll address both at once. I think ASP has a genuine shot at making the team. I like Fabbro and Ekblad, both righty’s and I’d lean toward Ekblad for
Physicality. I think Fabbro and ASP will have a very similar game. Provorov (personally) adds to the mix. I think offer sheets will play into the season especially if “overpay” is on the table. We’ll see how it pans out, keeping in mind that if Edvinsson has a big year, he may be in line for a sizable raise after the upcoming season.

Welp, back in the states; flight from Dublin to Charlotte was cancelled so we had to play "open seat roulette" and are awaiting the flight to Charlotte. Was great having unlimited data while in the Emerald Isle!!

I agree with the priorities posted earlier above. We have GOT to get tougher & more responsible on the D-line. If there's no improvement....well, it'll be a bad day. 5-on-5 was a disaster. Would Ekblad WANT to leave FLA?? Lose tax-free $$ and a SCF contender seemingly from 3yrs ago through the next 2-4? Leave all that to go to a "rebuild"? He took a pretty big ego hit with the suspension, so he MIGHT want to. But we also have to figure out the kids, as well. There's a ton of work to do to get this team straight, and it's NOT going to be easy.

We have some great looking kids that may well be ready to go beyond "pushing" for slots on the Big Club. And, frankly, for some of them it may be time. The D-kids turned it on in GR. But what's the right balance of kids n vets? If Holl stays, I'm going to have serious reservations about next year. Kane, to me, is a must for 1 more year - he's too dang good to let go. I think Bouchard, who I have LOVED watching since he came on the scene, would be unwilling to wear the Winged Wheel. But man,could he do some damage in Red?

Welp, back in the states; flight from Dublin to Charlotte was cancelled so we had to play "open seat roulette" and are awaiting the flight to Charlotte. Was great having unlimited data while in the Emerald Isle!!

I agree with the priorities posted earlier above. We have GOT to get tougher & more responsible on the D-line. If there's no improvement....well, it'll be a bad day. 5-on-5 was a disaster. Would Ekblad WANT to leave FLA?? Lose tax-free $$ and a SCF contender seemingly from 3yrs ago through the next 2-4? Leave all that to go to a "rebuild"? He took a pretty big ego hit with the suspension, so he MIGHT want to. But we also have to figure out the kids, as well. There's a ton of work to do to get this team straight, and it's NOT going to be easy.

We have some great looking kids that may well be ready to go beyond "pushing" for slots on the Big Club. And, frankly, for some of them it may be time. The D-kids turned it on in GR. But what's the right balance of kids n vets? If Holl stays, I'm going to have serious reservations about next year. Kane, to me, is a must for 1 more year - he's too dang good to let go. I think Bouchard, who I have LOVED watching since he came on the scene, would be unwilling to wear the Winged Wheel. But man,could he do some damage in Red?
- mcmastermike1968

The real unknown on Ekblad is wondering why the team was rumored to be shopping him. I’d put up $$ for him for sure. the year Bouchard was drafted he was the kid I wanted. But, I think Edmonton would rather trade a piece or two away than lose that beast. I’ll fanboy out, but the ability to be on that Edmonton team has an inherent value. For Ekblad, I wonder if FLA looked at Vegas and will toss loyalty out the window. The trade market for teams making room may be ripe with opportunity.

Here is a fast way to get shipped out of town..

https://www.nhltraderumor...an-larkin-rips-steve.html

Here is my 25-26 D-Corps:

Ivan Provorov - Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson - Albert Johansson
Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin Pellikka
Anton Johansson

Here is a fast way to get shipped out of town..

https://www.nhltraderumor...an-larkin-rips-steve.html
- StargateSG1

You didn’t read the article. That’s the opening embed. Definitely tense and from a guy who toes the line

Here is my 25-26 D-Corps:

Ivan Provorov - Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson - Albert Johansson
Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin Pellikka
Anton Johansson
- Goalie Dad

I like Provorov for sure. AJ may be help back of Tuomisto. T is RFA w arb so they may have to give him a look. Anton is a beast in his short sint. Already suspended once!

I like Provorov for sure. AJ may be help back of Tuomisto. T is RFA w arb so they may have to give him a look. Anton is a beast in his short sint. Already suspended once!
- Jeremy Laura

I added Anton as we really don’t have that any where else in the system. You know I’d love to get Gudas!

I added Anton as we really don’t have that any where else in the system. You know I’d love to get Gudas!
- Goalie Dad

Oh man, he helped Buium raise his physicality and both look like they want to make life awful. Anton could be a huge addition. I’d be yelling his number if I saw him get on the ice (and going for a change). It’s an interesting traffic jam but let the best player win! I like the drop in for sure

"Holl and Gustafsson are both either waived, one bought out or traded (seems unlikely). " Good points. I was thinking Tarasenko may be bought out, but your scenarios make good sense.

I never thought I would say this, but I think the time has come that the Red Wings organization needs to fix its General Manager problem. Steve Yzerman has been an abject failure as General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, and I think it is time to acknowledge that. While I loved him as a player, and consider him one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) Red Wings of all time, his inaction at the deadlines and in free agency and some of his baffling head scratcher moves (Walman) have made me realize that a great hockey legend does not a great General Manager make. We are being left in the dust by the likes of Ottawa and Columbus. Who’s next? Chicago? 6 full seasons is more than enough time for any competent GM to turn a team into a playoff contender. Yzerman is repeatedly quoted as saying, “I will always do what’s best for the organization not only in the short term, but in the long term”. If that’s true, Stevie, then step down.

I never thought I would say this, but I think the time has come that the Red Wings organization needs to fix its General Manager problem. Steve Yzerman has been an abject failure as General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, and I think it is time to acknowledge that. While I loved him as a player, and consider him one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) Red Wings of all time, his inaction at the deadlines and in free agency and some of his baffling head scratcher moves (Walman) have made me realize that a great hockey legend does not a great General Manager make. We are being left in the dust by the likes of Ottawa and Columbus. Who’s next? Chicago? 6 full seasons is more than enough time for any competent GM to turn a team into a playoff contender. Yzerman is repeatedly quoted as saying, “I will always do what’s best for the organization not only in the short term, but in the long term”. If that’s true, Stevie, then step down.
- danimal6777

I disagree. Again. He went to TB and built the team they have now. He came back and had to get rid of it all. The wait to tear it all down was way too long. Now we have Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, Kasper, Soderblom coming, Cossa, Sandin-Pellikka. The free agents (apart from Kane) have been dreadful and they are being flushed away. It’s opinion but I am Optimistic about what’s coming. The frustration is palpable and gaining. Understood. But would anyone have given up first round picks or Kasper this past season? Those were asking prices. I could be completely wrong but it will pan out and I’ll own It if I am. We all thought Nashville killed it last summer. Not so much.

ASP would be the same age as Seider was when he made the team out of camp, his SHL/European pro resume is about equally good, and he’s been great at the WJC two years in a row.

On paper he seems like he would be ready to step into a top 6 NHL role next season. I understand that the game isn’t played on paper and he may ultimately need some more seasoning (or Yzerman could simply decide to start him in the AHL no matter what). But I hope he gets every opportunity to make the opening night lineup and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t.
- Sven22

The difference with Seider is he had played a season in GR before his SHL season so he had already gotten use to the smaller ice and he was already use to physical play.

ASP is probably smart enough to adjust fast enough but not sure a couple of AHL games to end this season will be enough for him to make the jump by the start of next season unless GR goes on an extended playoff run and he gets to play a lot.

Here is my 25-26 D-Corps:

Ivan Provorov - Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson - Albert Johansson
Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin Pellikka
Anton Johansson
- Goalie Dad

I would prefer something like:

Gavrikov - Seider
Edvinsson - Gudas
Chiarot - Johansson

If ASP proved good enough to make the team then you move Chiarot to the press box and slide Johansson to the left side with ASP. The top 4 will be getting the harder minutes and matchups anyways.

I disagree. Again. He went to TB and built the team they have now. He came back and had to get rid of it all. The wait to tear it all down was way too long. Now we have Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, Kasper, Soderblom coming, Cossa, Sandin-Pellikka. The free agents (apart from Kane) have been dreadful and they are being flushed away. It’s opinion but I am Optimistic about what’s coming. The frustration is palpable and gaining. Understood. But would anyone have given up first round picks or Kasper this past season? Those were asking prices. I could be completely wrong but it will pan out and I’ll own It if I am. We all thought Nashville killed it last summer. Not so much.
- Jeremy Laura

Yzerman has been given a mountain of leeway in Detroit based on his record in Tampa. On paper, it looks like Yzerman couldn’t make a wrong move in Tampa. Everything he touched turned to gold. What the heck happened? I don’t remember him signing any Ben Chiarots, Justin Holls, or Jeff Petrys to bloated contracts while just giving away the best of the bunch (Walman) packaged up with a 2nd rounder. I’m beginning to wonder if Yzerman had a much stronger supporting cast in the Tampa Bay front office influencing his decisions there than he has around him in Detroit. There’s no other explanation in my mind for the stark difference in his decision making between the two clubs.
I hope I’m wrong. But I have one question. How long is too long? 7 seasons? 8 seasons? 9? At what point is it time to move on?

Yzerman has been given a mountain of leeway in Detroit based on his record in Tampa. On paper, it looks like Yzerman couldn’t make a wrong move in Tampa. Everything he touched turned to gold. What the heck happened? I don’t remember him signing any Ben Chiarots, Justin Holls, or Jeff Petrys to bloated contracts while just giving away the best of the bunch (Walman) packaged up with a 2nd rounder. I’m beginning to wonder if Yzerman had a much stronger supporting cast in the Tampa Bay front office influencing his decisions there than he has around him in Detroit. There’s no other explanation in my mind for the stark difference in his decision making between the two clubs.
I hope I’m wrong. But I have one question. How long is too long? 7 seasons? 8 seasons? 9? At what point is it time to move on?
- danimal6777

Well, he had drafts with Stamkos, Hedman, Vasilevsky and Kucherov. Had St Louis to trade for Callahan. I don’t have a number. Top 6 needs more help from below and the team can’t start like garbage. McLellan did a lot for Debrincat, but next year the NHL shuts down for nearly a month. We don’t know the fallout from Larkin’s frustration yet. I am frustrated but optimistic. Kasper, Debrincat, Raymond and Edvinsson all looked good. It’s a long summer and no clue what’s going to happen. We missed the playoffs. It sucks. McLellan has to get out of
The gate strong. The league is setup
For half the teams to miss the playoffs and want to add two more. I still feel good about what’s coming in but don’t have the answer. I don’t blame fans for tapping out, I’m not there

Well, he had drafts with Stamkos, Hedman, Vasilevsky and Kucherov. Had St Louis to trade for Callahan. I don’t have a number. Top 6 needs more help from below and the team can’t start like garbage. McLellan did a lot for Debrincat, but next year the NHL shuts down for nearly a month. We don’t know the fallout from Larkin’s frustration yet. I am frustrated but optimistic. Kasper, Debrincat, Raymond and Edvinsson all looked good. It’s a long summer and no clue what’s going to happen. We missed the playoffs. It sucks. McLellan has to get out of
The gate strong. The league is setup
For half the teams to miss the playoffs and want to add two more. I still feel good about what’s coming in but don’t have the answer. I don’t blame fans for tapping out, I’m not there
- Jeremy Laura

Stamkos and Hedman were already playing in Tampa when he arrived. But yes, he drafted Vasilevsky, Kucherov, and Point which is huge. I think his entry draft prowess has remained his one consistent from Tampa to Detroit.
I will gladly eat my words for this team to return to greatness. I really do hope I’m wrong and this is the end of the darkness just before the new dawn.

Stamkos and Hedman were already playing in Tampa when he arrived. But yes, he drafted Vasilevsky, Kucherov, and Point which is huge. I think his entry draft prowess has remained his one consistent from Tampa to Detroit.
I will gladly eat my words for this team to return to greatness. I really do hope I’m wrong and this is the end of the darkness just before the new dawn.
- danimal6777

I don’t think you have to eat anything. There has to be a way to be frustrated. We get to talk here and go back and forth. That’s pretty cool.