To the dismay of Red Wings fans, the Original Six team set another franchise record this season by missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for a ninth consecutive season. Max Bultman of The Athletic summarized the Detroit Red Wings’ offseason plans, identifying players they are likely to part ways with this summer.
In his list of ’possible farewells’, Bultman theorizes that Detroit will let Jeff Petry, Craig Smith, Tyler Motte, and Alex Lyon walk in free agency. Totalling a combined cap hit of more than $5MM, all four of the quartet could be easily replaced internally this offseason, allowing the Red Wings to pursue a higher-impact player.
Lastly, Bultman articulated that defenseman William Lagesson was the only surefire departure this summer. Lagesson largely operated as a depth defenseman this season, tallying one assist in seven games while averaging 14:34 of ice time, when not playing for their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Other notes from the Atlantic Division:
- In an insightful article regarding the Boston Bruins’ head coaching search, Shawn Hutcheon of The Fourth Period exposed a meaningful fact: the hiring General Manager may not be around for more than a year. Don Sweeney’s contract concludes after the 2025-26 season, and although he’s received an endorsement from team President Cam Neely, plenty can change in a calendar year. For any heading coaching candidate considering joining the Bruins, job security will be something to weigh.
- Over the last several years, the ’Battle of Florida’ between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers has been a must-see matchup since either team has represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final since the 2020 postseason. In the past two years, the Panthers have bested the Bolts, beating them in back-to-back opening-round matchups. In a quote from Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper conceded the battle, saying, “It was our turn. Now it’s theirs.”
Keep Petry as the 7th D. Rid everyone else. The Red Wings need some serious veteran leaders who’ve been there.
They all need to go. Pick up some offense.
I think the Red Wings need to go in a new direction. Absolutely nothing special out of the “All Anointed” genius Yzerplan. It’s gonna be just like Tampa Bay.
Just when he is replaced is when the team will take off.
He does make questionable trades and dumps that’s for sure. Walman is looking pretty good this year, and Hronek is a pretty solid dump.
You mean like how he completely set the foundation for Tampa through the draft and is setting it now for Detroit through the draft? Here’s a hot take, either strip Larkin’s “C” or get rid of him, he’s not the leader of any team who will ever be good. These Stanley Cup winning teams have something in common, a culture of cohesion and accountability, along with everyone being on the same page. Detroit just seems like a complete mish-mash of nonsense, zero identity.
Tough to agree, but you’re right about Dylan. Dylan, Debrincat, Lucas, Kane are the least intimidating lines in the league and on defense it is only Seider and Edvinsson and no goalies. Seeing Raymond getting mauled by Tkachuk was the end of dignity for DRW fans. Are we heavy like Colorado and Dallas, fast and skilled like Tampa Bay, talent-laden like Florida? No just 5’11” 190 lbs guys who get their butts kicked. Seven years into this and we’re regressing. Enough.
That’s why when they say go get Mitch Marner, it’s like oh just go get more of the same guy you already have? Is he highly skilled and better than everyone on the Red Wings? Yes. But it’s the same type of lightweight guy they don’t need more of. They need a guy like Knies, get the offer sheet ready.
P.S.
I wish they were 190lbs
Two heaviest forwards are Tarasenko and Ras — imagine calling those two “physical” players. And guarding the paint we have our future hopes on 168 lbs. Albert Johansson. Montreal went out and got Slafkovsky, Xhekaj, Josh Anderson and we get to watch them in the playoffs. Knies is one of these guys and we need three more!
How many players on the current Red Wings active roster are worth keeping? 5-6?
Petry, Smith, Motte, should just be the beginning of parting ways with.
Along with Walman, I’d offer Peron as another “should’a kept him” candidate. Nothing flashy but somewhat solid in a pinch. Certainly both had more value than was had from their trades.
Then there was the LaLonde issue, an uninspiring “meh” coach on a team trying to attract talent for a return to playoff contention. Players and their agents look at the offers and beyond that the team and the coaching staff. What are the prospects? With McClellan at least there is some fire in the belly. Who knows what the pool of available talent might be, or how deep the pockets of the Wings are.
Can only wish them luck this off season.
Normies sure love their ‘The Atlantic’ propaganda machine. Can’t believe how long it is taking US population to wake up.
Sports is a great blinder, great distractor from what is really going on.