LeftWinger

depends on what is going back in the trade. What does Boston need or want... I can't see Vegas or Colorado giving up too much to acquire him, unless Boston is going to move away from Rask after the things he said when he left the bubble, then maybe they'll trade MAF for him to make some cap room. Colorado may give up it's 1st round pick this year since Boston traded theirs in the Backes deal. Florida has the 12th OA pick, so I am not sure they'd part with that. Detroit is in no way trading it's 1st round, so like I said, it all depends on what Boston asks for in return. I know they probably won't demand a ransom because Krug still is, after all, a UFA to be, BUT if Colorado dangles the 1st rounder out there, I could see Boston jumping at it. For us, I wouldn't mind if we had to give up Cholowski or Svech or Lindstrom, but there damn well already be a contract ready for him to sign when the deal is made. 8yrs $10M per would not be too far fetched and if he did take a bit of a discount that would be even better!

I'd also like to note that, as of right now, Detroit has TDL cap space available in the amount of...are you sitting? $85M!!!! Granted that will go down as we sign our RFA's and maybe acquire a G and another contract, but lets say we're looking at $60M in available cap at the TDL, image some Cup teams offers if they needed to clear cap in order to acquire "the missing piece" for the run? This entire season is going to be the ONE that really kicks this team's re-start! By time the 2021 draft comes around, we may have ourselves 2 or 3 1sts, and possibly 2 or 3 MORE 2nds and 3rds! You just never know! I hope Yzerman can work something to get a second 1st round pick for this year though. I am very excited to see what happens next!

...also, as stated they will be using Fabbri at C this year (more than last year) so does that move Gagner to wing or does that mean one of Flip or Neilsen may be headed out? I guess if Fabbri works out at center and Gagner does too, they could always waive one of those two, he does have the cap space available to do so.

can the future considerations please be Jeff Blashill? ...anyhow, still have $27M in cap, add to that $6M more if needed (from Z) lets say we give a combo of $12M to Bertuzzi and Mantha, that's still $21M to sign the rest of the RFA's that he chooses to keep, plus find a goalie and probably add another contract or two! it is very positive to note that Marc Staal had a NMC that he waived to be traded here. So we can throw out the notion that players won't waive clauses to come here. The know they aren't going to win here, but they know they will play. As it has been talked about Staal will be a solid top 4 here. If we re-up Bowey, our D may resemble somethin like this: (unless he makes a run at someone else) Dekeyser - Hronek Staal - Seider Nemeth - Bowey Biega ...also Yzerman did confirm that neither Daley nor Ericsson will return. He fell off for the last few years, but you always have to give props to a player who chooses to stay with us his entire career! Thank you Jonathan Ericsson! Now go scout us some European talent!! edit: dang, I forgot Nemeth!!! Looks like Cholowski will be odd man out again! Unless he beats out Biega, but I think I'd rather had Cholowski playing minutes in GR rathe than limited time in Detroit...

I wonder if it's possible to acquire contracts like a re-capture penalty? This would be interesting if so... acquire Eriksson and Luongo's penalty from Vancouver along with Podkolzin. That would be $9M hit on our cap for two seasons, but wouldn't Podkolzin be worth it?

Raymond is ranking in the top 5 for a lot of NHL final draft lists. In some he is lower, but he is a kid playing in a mans league over there. Any ONE of him, Drysdale, Rossi or Perfetti and we have ourselves a helluva future NHL'er.

We have 8 signed forwards on the main roster ATM, if you go ahead and count Bertuzzi and Matha, that is 10. That leaves 4 (normally 14 FWDs) open for additions. I agree that at some point our "kids" are going to be here, BUT if you can acquire another 1st round pick or two, another high end prospect or two, there is no reason why you don't do it and start your waiver exempt kids in GR. Zadina, Ras, Veleno, they aren't going anywhere, and acquiring 1st round picks or high prospects to go along with them for years to come is nothing less than brilliant. Ideally Yzerman acquires 1 year overpaid UFA's to be and we only have to deal with them for this one more season. To me, lets say Anaheim wants to dump Backes and he agrees to come here, having one of those kids in GR for another season is well worth acquiring Backes and the 1st round pick they received from Boston.

IMO, if the top three go LAF, Stutzle, Byfield, then Yzerman should take either Raymond or Drysdale. I also would not be angry at Rossi or Perfetti, but from everything I read, Raymond is ahead of those two when it comes to being NHL ready. I know they say that the 2021 draft is D loaded, so maybe will be a top (bottom 10) team again and get us a D man then. But having three picks in the 2nd round, one of them being the 32nd overall, if Yzerman waited for a D then, he is going to get a 1st round caliber player there as well. I can also see him making a deal with a cap hell team and possibly getting into the 10-15 range and scoring Sanderson. Or maybe Yzerman helps Tampa out with salary by taking one of Palat or Kilhorn off their hands and pries Cal Foote away as compensation...but that is for the other thread!

Yzerman acquired Fabbri and Gagner via dumping players that he felt no longer fit here. BOTH of these players are better (at their positions) than half the team we already have and he did the right thing by re-signing them. He got them both for great prices and term respectively. Fabbri is 24 and can be part of the core moving and leading us forward, he fits right in with Larkin, Bert and Mantha. We have upwards of $40M in cap space, plenty of roster spots to fight for, and folks are complaining about a 1 year $850k contract for a player who is a better center than our other two making nearly $9M between them. Plus he is 5 years younger than both of them. This is a tryout contract for Gagner. He is either going to get traded at the TDL to a contender if he does well, or he will be re-signed again to shore up our bottom 6 moving forward. He is better than Nielsen, Filppula and Abby, this is a great signing.

Well, there nothing saying we have to re-sign Ehn, Erne, Hirose or Perlini or Turgeon. I'd like to see Timashov re-signed, but that is about it. Veleno, Brome, Rasmussen and Pearson, along with Zadina if he isn't ready, ALL can go to GR without passing through waivers. The other 5, while they would have to pass through waivers, would be no big loss if claimed. So that leaves Svech and Timashov up in Detroit. I am sure Bowey may sign, but he'd be no big loss either, especially if Seider makes the club. We have 2-3 spots up front and at least 2 on the D along with 1 goalie to add via "salary dump" or UFA. As discussed, if ini real need for a roster spot, Abby can be waived to GR. Even if he got picked up, no big loss. Yzerman would surely send the waiver exempt guys to GR in order to acquire draft picks or more (better) prospects to move this rebuild along. Heck even Gagner himself can be sent to GR and if he passes through waivers his entire salary can be buried.

re: Howard...I just think he is done in Detroit and wants a chance to win, even if it is as a backup. I can see Edmonton giving him a call, or even Vegas depending on what they do with MAF. Dallas could be interesting as well if Khudobin walks or if they deal Bishop in a salary dump. I just think that Yzerman needs to sign someone that is going to push Bernier for the starting job and for him to be better. When comparing Howard and Markstrom, even though Howard has had better numbers over their career's (until recently) Markstrom is a goalie that can do just that, push for the job and/or push Bernier to be better. Howard no longer is. I agree with that too! The first paragraph says that Detroit is in no need basically to buyout anyone. Abby in GR would be good I think, he can help players develop and I do believe he still resides in the Muskegon area in the off-season, so that would put him closer to home. It does beat buying him out!

buyout candidate's per Sportsnet: interesting is the tidbit about Helm. I would think that before Helm gets bought out, he has a bit of trade value left in him. I think i would prefer buying out Nielsen or Filppula before Abby, especially since the re-signing of Gagner. Not that Abby is better than those, but it would be less term. Abby would be 6 years, Nielsen 4 and Filppula 2.

here are the teams that will (should) be looking to dump large salaries (along with prospects/picks) in order to attempt to make a pitch for that missing piece or two to get them to glory...or just to be under the cap in some team's cases... I see Yzerman doing some deal(s) with Edmonton and or Tampa. Maybe Dallas too...

Am I the only one that is happy about the Gagner deal? With $34M in cap space, $40M if you count Z's LTIR (if needed) we got a Center (who is arguably better than Filppula and Nielsen) for $850k. We still have room to acquire one or two huge salary dumps and still have the necessary cap space to re-sign Bertuzzi and Mantha....AND STILL have the necessary cap space to dive in to the UFA frenzy. Turner Elson just re-signed as well for $725k, obviously minor league signing, but it's nice to see Yzerman starting the process! Did anyone (on ay team) get bought out yet?

AND since his contract came along with a full NMC, they quite literally cannot move him unless he wants to!

My question is, where is Byfield in all this?

It's not very good GM'ing to trade away someone you just signed. But I would go ahead and do: Erikkson and Podko for Cholowski. We wouldn't need the 1st if we're getting Podko. They'd shed the $6M, PLUS get a pretty good D prospect to play. I am sure Cholowski would love going "home" to play too. I'd actually probably then keep Eriksson through this years TDL and try to shop Filppula, Neilsen and/or Helm. Then, either flip Eriksson at the 2022 TDL or he's one we could leave unprotected at the expansion draft. Adding Eriksson, Podko (to the prospects pool) to this team makes it better than last season for sure. I'd honestly be in talks with Vegas and Arizona as well. It's pretty well known that Vegas will be shopping Fleury, maybe he's someone we could get here to help us until we figure out our G woes. I'd take his two years on along with their 1st round pick. When it comes to Arizona, I'd take Stepan and Hayton (if possible.) If not, then their 2022 1st rounder. We do have in excess of up to $40M-ish in cap space including Z's LTIR, so there is plenty of cash to acquire these big contracts and still sign out RFA's.

Why would we be interested in Eriksson? 2 years left at $6M for a 35 year old? Maybe to flip him at the TDL? But since there is no 2020 1st, what would entice you? Jett Woo?

oops! my mistake...

St. Louis calls and needs to clear space to re-sign Pietrangelo. They are asking that you take the contracts of Steen and Bozak. Obviously you want the 1st round pick, but what else would you ask for, and what would you send them back? Let's say: Steen, Bozak, 1st, Bokk for? What if they'd rather send dump Schwartz and Perron? Would those two eliminate the need for the prospect (Bokk?) Let's say: Schwartz, Perron and 1st for?

Mantha will qualify as a UFA in two season's. Of course Yzerman will want to lock him up for 4-5 seasons so he gets a few "UFA" season's out of him at whatever the price they settle on. ($6M-ish) But this is a business, If Mantha continues to produce or even get better, $6M will be a steal if he is indeed signed for 4-5 years. BUT, Mantha and his agent know this, if Mantha scores at a 30-40 goal rate for the next couple of years, he will be in the $9M-$10M range for UFA's, so why would he sign anything longer than 3 years? He is going to want to cash in at 28 years old (his prime) not get paid less than what he should be getting through 30-31 years old. After that, he has missed his opportunity to cash in. I never said he deserves $10M NOW. BUT, if he signs a 3 year deal at $6M, at 28 (if he continues to rise) he'll get more. It's in HIS best interest to sign a 3 year deal now, and cash in at 28 years old. Let's say that he continues to be the player he his and gets better as the years go on, here is how I can see him (his agent) playing this: Sign 3 year $18M-$20M contract now, taking him into UFA status. Giving The Red Wings ONE year into that status... Sign 8 year $80M-$90M contract as a UFA in the prime of his career. So, yes, by the time The Red Wings are contenders again in 4-5 years, Mantha (as long as he continues his rise) will be a 31 year old making $10M or so a year. And if he is still super valuable to this team that is awesome! My point was (if Raymond, for example) also projects to be as good as the scouts are saying, what is better for your team when you are in serious contention. Also, like I said, I am saying we have to trade him, I am a Mantha fan! Loved the pick when they got him, still love him now. I was just throwing "What if's" out there.

re: Mantha. You have to ask yourself at what point are The Red Wings going to be back in serious contention? 4-5 years? Ok, that puts Mantha over 30, not over the hill by any means, but maybe if you could get a younger elite prospect, or a top 10 pick in the draft, how much better off will they be in 4-5 years? A player at 31 years old, possibly making over $10 (if he only signs a 3 year deal, then another one as a UFA, unless he leaves as UFA) or a player quite possibly of the same or better caliber at 23 years old? I think if (Buffalo for example) offered the #8 pick and a high prospect (Cozens? (may be too high) for Mantha to put on a line with Eichel, Yzerman would have to jump on it. Plus, Buffalo is also under the salary floor, so they could also pay Mantha a ton of cash. I have nothing against keeping Mantha either, I am just saying if offers came rolling in and something like this came up? I'd have to say goodbye to him.

...so IF as rumored that LA may consider taking Drysdale at 2, and Sanderson is also considered top 5, once again, if you are Ottawa, do you NOT take Sanderson at 3 and risk Detroit taking him at 4 or do you take him at 3, leaving BOTH Byfield and Stutzle available at 4,then take whichever one Detroit does not take? 1. LAF 2. Drysdale 3. Sanderson 4. Byfield (Stutzle) 5. Stutzle (Byfield) ...still looks like an amazing two picks for Ottawa. also re: Mantha for another top 10 pick. I would trade him straight up for the pick as long as we were drafting his replacement. (ie. Raymond, Rossi, Perfetti) But that being said, as long as he does not become a prick about his contract, I'd just assume keep him. BUT, if I do want Askarov, and he falls to around 20ish, I would love to make a deal getting another pick to get him. Assuming teams 6-10 are even interested in Mantha, or the likes of 13-20ish are interested in making a deal, because none of those teams in the 13-20range are hurting too much for cap space. Unless they want to land a HUGE name UFA. How awesome would it be to come out of the 1st round with Byfield (Stutzle,) Raymond and Askarov? Whew!

yes, the rise of Sanderson has seriously made the chance of many changes in the top three less likely.

If LA does not take Drysdale at 2, then Ottawa will take him at 3. Ottawa will take him because to keep Detroit from taking him, then Ottawa will select Best Forward available at 5. We will have available to us, one of Byfield or Stutzle. BUT is Yzerman going to go with what HE wants? Rossi, Perfetti, Raymond? re: Raymond, some folks have him going in the top 3. What if it goes down like: LAF, Drysdale, Raymond? Which one of Byfield or Stutzle would you prefer? also, Bob Mac has Stutzle ranked #2 in his final rankings, if LA or Ottawa each take one of Stutzle and Drysdale, do you automatically pick Byfield, or is the fact that a 17 year old Raymond played in a MAN's league all year in Sweden (and did quite well for himself) make you look at him twice? https://www.tsn.ca/alexis-lafreniere-tops-tsn-hockey-insider-bob-mckenzie-s-final-draft-rankings-1.1488269 If we drafted according to his list, we'd have: Drysdale, Helge Grans, William Cuylle, Brock Faber, Maxim Groshev, Brandon Coe in the first 3 rounds. I do not know much about anyone really outside of the top 10-15, but maybe some of you do? Does this look like a successful 3 rounds? also, if there was a deal out there to get another pick in the top 10, (Mantha package) who would you select? Would you go for Askarov? or If you chose Offense at 4, would you go with the defensman Sanderson or another forward if not taking Askarov? Or maybe would you prefer to trade in to the 10-15 range and just take Askarov? Would you trade Mantha for the chance at Askarov?