2026 Acquisitions/TDL/plus extenions for pending Red Wings UFA/RFA's

[LeftWinger 5,193]

I believe he’s certainly deserved it. This season, he has truly established himself as a solid bottom four player. $3.8 million compensation isn’t a bad deal for that role. The positive aspect is that, at this moment, I do not observe any No-Movement Clause/No-Trade Clause attached to his contract...but I assume details might not all have been released yet. Who will be the next player signed/acquired?

Edited January 28 by LeftWinger

[Jimmybigrigs69 573]

At his position, this cap hit, and what we get out of him, this is a good deal. A little long at his age but the risk of a year or two extra is probably worth it 

[town123 256]

With so many wussies on this team, Ben is more than welcome here.

[kipwinger 8,824]

Seems like the Wings brass likes Ben with ASP. I do think having the veteran there to mentor the young gun is the right call. But I also don't think those two guys should be playing in any high-leverage situations. Enter Albert Johansson with his absolutely stellar play lately. It's starting to be clear to me that whichever defenseman we trade for is going to become Albert's regular partner. I've seen Logan Stanley's name out there, Braden Schneider too. I'd love either of those guys with Albert on a more shutdown-type pair, and leave the sheltered minutes for Ben and ASP. I can't say I hate it.

Edvinsson-Seider (Two-way, 25 mins a night)

Johansson-Schneider/Stanley/Other (shutdown/hard minutes, 18-20 mins a night)

Chiarot-ASP (offensive zone starts, PK/PP duties, and low leverage situations, 15(ish) mins a night)

Bernard-Docker (press box most nights)

Edited January 30 by kipwinger

[Motor City Mullets 338]

On 1/30/2026 at 4:05 PM, kipwinger said:

Seems like the Wings brass likes Ben with ASP. I do think having the veteran there to mentor the young gun is the right call. But I also don't think those two guys should be playing in any high-leverage situations. Enter Albert Johansson with his absolutely stellar play lately. It's starting to be clear to me that whichever defenseman we trade for is going to become Albert's regular partner. I've seen Logan Stanley's name out there, Braden Schneider too. I'd love either of those guys with Albert on a more shutdown-type pair, and leave the sheltered minutes for Ben and ASP. I can't say I hate it.

Edvinsson-Seider (Two-way, 25 mins a night)

Johansson-Schneider/Stanley/Other (shutdown/hard minutes, 18-20 mins a night)

Chiarot-ASP (offensive zone starts, PK/PP duties, and low leverage situations, 15(ish) mins a night)

Bernard-Docker (press box most nights)

I've been singing AlJo's praises for a while...IMHO he's becoming our version of former NHL'er Niklas Hjalmarsson.

[kipwinger 8,824]

20 hours ago, Motor City Mullets said:

I've been singing AlJo's praises for a while...IMHO he's becoming our version of former NHL'er Niklas Hjalmarsson.

My dad and I were talking about the team a few days ago and he made the same comparison between Aljo and Hjalmarssom. I hadn’t thought of it but you’re spot on. 

[kipwinger 8,824]

When the Wings inevitably trade for a new 2C I think they should seriously consider demoting Kane to the 3rd line at even strength. He's still really valuable as a leader and on the powerplay, but he's not especially good at even strength. I like the way Kasper helps elevate Larkin and Raymond by doing the dirty work, and I'd love to see Finnie provide the same thing to a new 2nd line. Debrincat and Finnie with Thomas/Kadri/Pettersson/Trocheck would be a bear to deal with. let Kane and Copp play with JVR on the 3rd line.

[kipwinger 8,824]

I always knew we were never in on the Panarin thing, it never made sense. We already have a bunch of guys that profile like him offensively. We need a center and I can't help but think we're all-in on Robert Thomas and a low cost 2nd/3rd pair tweener for the right side of the defense.

[town123 256]

Pretty sure Mrs. Panarin wanted LA and nothing but.

[Jimmybigrigs69 573]

Ken Holland is so back baybee

Is it just me or is Patrick Kane the only red wing that matters?

[LeftWinger 5,193]

I may be in the minority, but there's never been a better "buy low" time than now for EP40. When I say buy low, it could still mean a 1st, grade A prospect, NHL player, and possibly a lower pick.

Also, for the D, Ya, I am being overly optimistic, but I believe Detroit can use a LHD and RHD. Hamilton and OEL fit that bill for now and a couple years down the road. This will make Chiarot LD3 and shelter ASP on the RD3 spot. AlJo and JBD would be odd men out in the press box, but they can rotate in now and then. Also, both OEL and Dougie could also be flipped on one of the following TDL's if need be.

[town123 256]

EP40 would still need to waive his NTC which I think is doubtful, as his wife probably prefers a team from the sunny and warm left coast.

 

AlJo has been steady this year and of late has been really good.   He deserves the ice time to keep developing.

I'm thinking we're not going to do much at the TDL.

[kipwinger 8,824]

On 2/10/2026 at 8:55 AM, town123 said:

EP40 would still need to waive his NTC which I think is doubtful, as his wife probably prefers a team from the sunny and warm left coast.

 

AlJo has been steady this year and of late has been really good.   He deserves the ice time to keep developing.

I'm thinking we're not going to do much at the TDL.

No way, we're trading for a center. NOBODY feels good about Copp as a 2C on a playoff team. I think we're going to land either Thomas or Trocheck (and probably a depth defenseman too). Then we'll make a big swing in free agency next year to land Quinn Hughes, who is from Michigan and expressed a desire to play here. Our top six forwards and top four defenders would be lethal

 

Kasper-Larkin-Raymond

Dcat-Thomas/Trocheck-Finnie

 

Hughes-Seider

Edvinsson-ASP

 

[town123 256]

7 hours ago, kipwinger said:

No way, we're trading for a center. NOBODY feels good about Copp as a 2C on a playoff team. I think we're going to land either Thomas or Trocheck (and probably a depth defenseman too). Then we'll make a big swing in free agency next year to land Quinn Hughes, who is from Michigan and expressed a desire to play here. Our top six forwards and top four defenders would be lethal

 

Kasper-Larkin-Raymond

Dcat-Thomas/Trocheck-Finnie

 

Hughes-Seider

Edvinsson-ASP

 

I hope you're right... especially about Hughes

 

I think Trocheck would be the guy since the ask won't be nearly as severe as the haul Thomas would require.   I would rather have Thomas, but beggars...

[Motor City Mullets 338]

16 hours ago, town123 said:

I hope you're right... especially about Hughes

 

I think Trocheck would be the guy since the ask won't be nearly as severe as the haul Thomas would require.   I would rather have Thomas, but beggars...

Agreed...The Blues really have no reason to move Thomas unless there's a drastic overpayment which I doubt Yzerman would do...Trocheck on the other hand seems ripe for leaving Broadway and with 3 seasons left under contract he won't be just a rental - however unless he uses his 'Modified No-Trade Clause' to restrict some rivals the bidding war for his services could be hefty.

[town123 256]

7 hours ago, Motor City Mullets said:

Agreed...The Blues really have no reason to move Thomas unless there's a drastic overpayment which I doubt Yzerman would do...Trocheck on the other hand seems ripe for leaving Broadway and with 3 seasons left under contract he won't be just a rental - however unless he uses his 'Modified No-Trade Clause' to restrict some rivals the bidding war for his services could be hefty.

If there really is a bidding war, I would hate to give up too much for a guy who is marginally better than Copp. 

 I guess the big question is what would a fair return look like?  I have no clue.

Edited Thursday at 10:32 PM by town123

[Motor City Mullets 338]

1 hour ago, town123 said:

If there really is a bidding war, I would hate to give up too much for a guy who is marginally better than Copp. 

 I guess the big question is what would a fair return look like?  I have no clue.

I honestly get the impression Trocheck (judging from his numbers, my limited viewing time of watching him play, and the fact that he's on the Olympic roster)  he's just more than marginally better than Copp.

[town123 256]

I have a limited viewing time of Trocheck as well, and I think he's better on faceoffs and has a nice touch deflecting shots from the point on PP's.   They both work on the penaly kill where I would give the slight edge to Copp.   The big difference for me is that Vinny gets the PP time and Copp doesn't.

 

I'm just saying there is a w-a-y bigger gap between Thomas and Copp vs Trockeck and Copp.    How much we pay for that difference is my biggest question.   Sounds like we need Kip and others to wade in with what a trade would look like.

Edited yesterday at 01:35 PM by town123