East Notes: Green, Reway, Djoos

Red Wings defenseman Mike Green is the highest paid blueliner that is currently slated to hit the open market next summer with a salary and cap hit of $6MM.  Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required) spoke with an agent regarding what Green’s next contract should cost.  Although Green doesn’t exactly have the reputation of being a particularly strong defensive player, he has consistently been a strong offensive producer and between that and his right-handedness, he could still be in line for a contract around $4.5MM.

Detroit already has just shy of $20MM committed to their back end for 2018-19 as things stand so locking Green up on a new deal wouldn’t allow them much flexibility in terms of trying to upgrade what is already not a strong unit.  Accordingly, if they find themselves out of the playoff race by the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Red Wings offer him up as a rental player.

Elsewhere in the East:

• After missing all of last season due to a heart condition, Canadiens prospect Martin Reway is set to suit up in Montreal’s upcoming prospect tournament, notes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. The former fourth round pick averaged better than a point-per-game in stints in the Czech Extraliga and the Swiss NLA back in 2015-16 and will likely start in at the AHL level this season.
• Although he was given a mandate to bulk up over the offseason, Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos checked in at almost the same weight he did last training camp, writes Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. The 23-year-old finished third in AHL scoring by blueliners last season and is expected to contend for a roster spot following the departures of Nate Schmidt, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Karl Alzner.  However, at just 168 pounds, Djoos stands to be one of the leanest NHL defenders which could be a concern against stronger competition.