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

[LeftWinger 5,192]

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 Wednesday at 03:44 PM by LeftWinger

[Jimmybigrigs69 572]

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 254]

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

[kipwinger 8,819]

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 Friday at 10:05 PM by kipwinger

[Motor City Mullets 336]

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.