Yzerman creating more CAP Space today, by trading D Walman & a newly acquired 2024 2nd from Nashville, to San Jose. On the surface, this looks like a salary dump, providing more CAP flexibility to sign Raymond & Seider to potential $8 X 8 contracts very soon. Walman’s Salary dump could also be used to re-sign Ghost, F Guentzel or Goalie Saros, most likely. Stamkos? Kane - doubtful, likely to the Rangers. Seems like there is more to this Salary dump deal to be honest. We’ll see.
Ullmark traded to the Sens, likely on a 1-year deal. He’s better than Saros. Oh well.
Things heating up on the trade market across the NHL yesterday and today…Things I like to see…
The only goal tender that is still “on the market” that I think you can win a championship with is Saros. I REALLY don’t see the point in trading for John Gibson and then hoping he de-ages about 10 years for you.
That said, they need to address the defense this offseason. I really hope Edvinsson has a good offseason in the weight room, as we need him to be an enforcer next season.
I hope Gostisbehere is brought back, and if there’s a way to keep Kane, you have to do that obviously. Perron, I think, will be back. If we somehow can trade for Saros and lock him down, I think we have a playoff team next year.
Stamkos’s knees are shot…Yzerman has always admired Stamkos, when Yzerman was GM with the Lightning. Too many injuries/age for me. He’s better than Kane with a corresponding higher price tag. I’ll pass…Kane may sign with the Blue Shirts.
I like Hage at #15…Wings are soooo slow, outside of Larkin & Raymond. Center Hage has speed to burn, similar to Larkin. Additionally, he’s going to Ann Arbor in the Fall. What better place to “Supervise” his development than 40 miles down the road from Lil Caesar’s??..
If we keep the pick, and add another prospect, then I agree with you. Imo, our defensive prospect pool is much thinner.
With our system being so good, and deep, I feel like its time to cash in some future chips (draft picks), and add someone that can really help push our team over the hump.
I’m not sure who that person is though. I haven’t given it a ton of thought.
Wings have been searching for an Elite 2nd Line Centerman for Years. That’s why they drafted Kasper & Danielson for the last 2 years. Kasper looks too slow and best case will evolve to be a decent 3rd Line checking Center. Danielson has the Speed, but likely needs a year of seasoning down in GR. He could surprise.
You can turn Centers into Forwards, but you cannot turn Forwards into Centers. It’s a different skill set altogether. Berrgren, if he isn’t traded, will make the Team by default in October. He’s out of waiver options in GR and would be claimed by another NHL club for sure. Wings will let F Sprong go to provide space for Berrgren. they like Compher, but are stuck with Copp, and his big contract, for at least another year. They still like F Perron for at least one more year. A very slow team, in general. Just look at the NHL Playoffs. Those teams, ALL have good speed top-to-bottom !!..
Edvinsson, is already penciled in to be a full-time started on Defense, Johansson is out of waiver options, and will make the team in October as a 5th or 6th Defensemen. Reputedly, his game is similar to Maata, nothing special, but steady. Maata is on his last year of a 2-year deal for 2024-25. Johansson will be Maata’s replacement assuming Maata isn’t traded. Wings are stuck will Maata, Holl, Petry, & Chiarot for now sadly. They are already short of right-handed Defenseman, exacerbated when they traded Hronek to the Canucks for a 1st Rounder (G Cossa), 2 years ago.
D Pelinka is only 19, and will spend another year over in the Swedish League, before coming over to GR for seasoning. He has STAR potential material written all over him, 2nd coming of D Rafalski…A true offensive Defenseman to quarterback the Power Play. Only drawback is that he’s just 5’11. He has great speed and vision.
