Detroit Red Wings

What’s Yzerman up to now?

He’s had a busy October, drafting a dozen players and then signing unrestricted free agents Bobby Ryan, Vladislav Namestnikov, Jon Merrill, Troy Stecher and Thomas Greiss. Yzerman still has his two biggest restricted free agents to get under contract in forwards Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi filed for arbitration, so that contract will get done one way or another (the sides can continue to negotiate even if they’re before the arbitrator). Bertuzzi’s arbitration date is Sunday. He’s coming off a two-year, $2.8 million contract and, with two straight 21-goal seasons, is likely to come in in the $4.5-5 million range.

Mantha is coming off a two-year, $6.6 million deal. He scored 16 goals last season, limited to 43 games because of injuries (that extrapolates to 30 goals over an 82-game season). He may want a one-year deal to try to increase his value, but there’s much to be said for longer-term job security. Expect him to come in around the $5 million mark.

Detroit Free Press

 

The Detroit Red Wings made several changes after they had a .275 points percentage last season (17-49-5), the worst in the NHL since the salary cap was introduced in 2005-06.

"We're looking to upgrade every aspect of our team," general manager Steve Yzerman said.

The additions were one- or two-year commitments to players who bring experience: forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov; defensemen Jon Merrill, Marc Staal and Troy Stecher; and goalie Thomas Greiss.

The idea was to improve in the short term and maintain flexibility for the medium and long terms. Early in their rebuild, the Red Wings want to buy time for prospects to develop with the NHL salary cap remaining at $81.5 million this season.

"I think we're just trying to move cautiously," Yzerman said. "The climate we're in, with uncertainty with our salary cap in years to come, we just felt like this is a good way to go. We're prepared to sign players to longer-term contracts, including our own players, but we're going to just move slowly for the time being and be careful about handing out long-term deals."

Here is what the Red Wings look like today:

Key arrivals
Marc Staal, D: The 33-year-old scored 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 52 games last season for the New York Rangers, who traded him and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft for future considerations Sept. 26. He has one year left on his contract. … Bobby Ryan, F: The 33-year-old agreed to a one-year contract Oct. 9 hoping to reboot his career after scoring eight points (five goals, three assists) in 24 games last season for the Ottawa Senators, who bought out the final two seasons of his seven-year contract Sept. 26. … Jon Merrill, D: The 28-year-old, who grew up in the Detroit area and played at the University of Michigan, agreed to a one-year contract Oct. 9 after scoring seven points (two goals, five assists) in 49 games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season. … Thomas Greiss, G: The 34-year-old agreed to a two-year contract Oct. 10 after going 16-9-4 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 31 games (29 starts) for the New York Islanders last season. … Troy Stecher, D: The 26-year-old agreed to a two-year contract Oct. 10 after scoring 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 69 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season. … Vladislav Namestnikov, F: The 27-year-old, who is the nephew of former Red Wings forward Slava Kozlov and spent part of his childhood in the Detroit area, agreed to a two-year contract Oct. 11 after scoring 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) in 65 games for the Colorado Avalanche, Senators and Rangers last season.



Key departures
Jimmy Howard, G: Ranks third in wins (246) and games (543) among goalies in Red Wings history after 14 seasons in Detroit. He is an unrestricted free agent. … Justin Abdelkader, F: Scored 252 points (106 goals, 146 assists) in 739 games during 13 seasons with the Red Wings. He was placed on unconditional waivers Oct. 6 for the purpose of a buyout. … Jonathan Ericsson, D: Scored 125 points (27 goals, 98 assists) in 680 games through 13 seasons in Detroit. He is an unrestricted free agent. … Trevor Daley, D: Remains an unrestricted free agent after three seasons with the Red Wings.



On the cusp
Evgeny Svechnikov, F: This is a critical time for the 23-year-old because the No. 19 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft is no longer waiver exempt. He scored 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 51 games for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League last season. He has played 20 NHL games in his career, scoring four points (two goals, two assists). … Dennis Cholowski, D: The 22-year-old, the No. 20 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, has split time between the NHL and AHL the past two seasons. Last season, he scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in 36 games for Detroit and 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 30 games for Grand Rapids.

NHL.com

 

What they still need
In the short term, the Red Wings need to sign two key restricted free agents: forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha. In the long term, they need their prospects to develop, particularly top draft picks like defenseman Moritz Seider (No. 6, 2019) and forward Lucas Raymond (No. 4, 2020). With the start of the NHL season and the status of the AHL uncertain due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Seider (Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League) and Raymond (Frolunda of the SHL) are among several prospects playing in Europe. Some might stay overseas the entire season no matter what happens in North America.

 

Projected lineup
Tyler Bertuzzi -- Dylan Larkin -- Anthony Mantha

Bobby Ryan -- Vladislav Namestnikov -- Filip Zadina

Robby Fabbri -- Valtteri Filppula -- Sam Gagner

Darren Helm -- Luke Glendening -- Adam Erne

Patrik Nemeth -- Filip Hronek

Jon Merrill -- Troy Stecher

Marc Staal -- Danny DeKeyser

Thomas Griess

Jonathan Bernier
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Not going to scare too many teams, but respectful anyway. The future looks good tho...

 

I like what the Wings have done so far this offseason.

Now, I've been down this road for a loooong long time. It can take a loooong time, and getting a dash or two of good luck thrown in can be the catalyst for positive results. Drafting 4th after a .275 season (.275 for Christ's sake!) is not good luck. The 2021 draft is not expected to be anything special at the top - and the Wings will still go into the lottery with high odds of selecting first.

I think the most important thing a franchise in Detroit's position is to have: 1) stability in the F.O., and 2) a clearly defined team identity to inform roster-building instructions. The Sabres lack(ed?*) both and they've had nine years of futility. (* I am beginning to be impressed with Kevyn Adams; it's still too early to make judgments on his decisions, but the team appears to be vastly improved, and there seems to be a unity, or purpose, for every decision. They were a jumblefuck for a long time, and just like the Bills, things can turn around quicker than expected. But the F.O. has to have a plan and the skill to pull this off.) It's times like these that I think about HockeyBob and wish he'd come out of retirement, or that hole, and give us his wisdom.

I do not want to give SY too much credit, but he certainly commands everyone's respect. Detroit is a great place for a hockey player so attracting them is made easier. You got a dose of bad news on McIsaac - he's returning from Finland after about 1.5 minutes of TOI with an injury. Do not count on every high pick, and hope that some middle round picks develop nicely with one or two late round gems.

 

Wholeheartedly agree. Im so glad Yzerman is running the show... he's a class act in my opinion and I trust him to get things done. I just dont know about Blashill, but for now Im leaning towards trusting SY, who supports him, so thats good enough for me. Im just hoping Blashill can handle the prospects and eventually the vets who come in. I may be too hard on him as Blashill did well on the AHL level with the youth, but the AHL and NHL are at times and in some ways two different animals.

 

On Blashill: remember that he got the gig because of his great track record with the Grifs. Any coach can look like a bum if he's bereft of talent. I'm a long way from knowing the team & org. well, but I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Let's see what he can do if he's given an NHL roster.

I agree that the NHL & AHL can be two different leagues altogether. But, I believe he won in Grand Rapids with a developmental-AHL system. Other Calder winners have relied on AHL veterans. If I'm right, then that bodes well for Blashill's abilities to nurture a young NHL team.

I think one of the looming issues will be how do they choose to handle Larkin. He's exactly the type of player a franchise can build upon and around. But, that window won't be open forever. In another two-four years, if the team is not showing clear signs of becoming a contender then they risk alienating him to the Wings. The Sabres were perhaps only a year or two from "losing" Jack Eichel. (I shouldn't put this as a past-tense comment since they've proven nothing. But the Hall and Staal deals give true meaning to hope, and the Sabres have a strong underappreciated prospect pool ready to start producing NHL results.)

I hope the Wings show some meaningful improvement this season. They can still be a lottery contender and show meaningful improvement. By '21-'22 I hope they're spoken of as a potential playoff team. Larkin is the type of player that I'd like the Wings to start casting his statue for outside the barn, and it would be a bad thing for hockey if he is not given a chance to play important games in Motown while he's in his prime.

 

Hi Dan..........another great post my friend........

and the Sabres have a strong underappreciated prospect pool ready to start producing NHL results.)

Ain't that the truth.

 

Bertuzzi gets one-year, $3.5M contract with Red Wings from arbitrator
Forward scored NHL career-high 48 points last season

Tyler Bertuzzi was awarded a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings by an independent arbitrator Tuesday.

The 25-year-old forward had a salary arbitration hearing Sunday. He was the first of 26 restricted free agents who filed for arbitration to have a hearing.

"Obviously it was a little different than anything I've ever been through," Bertuzzi said Wednesday. "But it went smoothly and we're happy that we got a deal done. I'm happy to be back."

Bertuzzi set an NHL career high in points (48) and tied his high in goals (21) in 71 games with Detroit last season. He was selected to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.

Bertuzzi was asked whether the one-year contract could give him an opportunity to build on his numbers from last season in hopes of a potential long-term contract after this season.

"Of course," he said. "But that being said, whether I sign five, four, six years, every year you need to perform and you need to work hard and contribute. Even if I signed a six-year deal, I'll play every game like I'm on a one-year deal. I just need to prove every year that I'm a good player and I want to contribute for this team."

Selected by Detroit in the second round (No. 58) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Bertuzzi has scored 119 points (49 goals, 70 assists) in 199 NHL games.

He said the experience gained after four seasons in the League should help him improve even further heading into this season.

"Obviously experience helps a lot," he said. "That's going to keep growing as I keep playing more games and getting more experience. Just working on little things and we've got a good group here in Detroit, skating and working out. We're all working out together and working hard, bonding as a team. We're all looking forward to coming back."

NHL.com
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This is a good deal for Detroit. I like Bertuzzi's game. He brings toughness, when needed and has a set of scoring hands... good for him. His attitude towards the game and the team is really good too... he's a team gamer.

 

Mantha agreed to terms on a four-year, $22.8 milion contract with Detroit on Tuesday.

Injuries limited Mantha to just 43 games this season which caused him to miss the 45-point threshold for the first time since 2016-17. If he can stay healthy, the 26-year-old winger should be capable of racking up 20 goals and 50 points in each of the four years of his new contract, especially playing on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit with Dylan Larkin.

 

Good deal for the Wings. I like the 4 years, I’d expect that he probably wanted something shorter so he could really break the bank in a couple years.

 

Troy Stecher excited to join Red Wings' young core
Defenseman played in all 69 games and made his postseason debut for Vancouver last season


DETROIT - A myriad of factors were appealing and led Troy Stecher to signing a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Perhaps above all, he sees something special being built, and wants to be a part of the young core that brings winning hockey back to Detroit.

Stecher is a 26-year-old defenseman that has four years of solid experience in the NHL, including playing in all 69 games and making his postseason debut for the Vancouver Canucks last season.

There's no doubt the Red Wings are strengthening their blue line by adding a skater of Stecher's caliber. But they're also gaining a player whose age and experience aligns nicely with many of the young pieces already making their mark in Hockeytown. As he told Daniella Bruce and Art Regner on The Word on Woodward on Nov. 5, Stecher is hoping to assimilate quickly to a group that is growing up together on the ice.

"It was a mutual interest between both groups (during free agency). Obviously with the organization, and myself as a player," Stecher said on The Word on Woodward's Downtown Hockeytown segment, presented by Labatt Blue Light. "I like the age group of their core, with (Dylan) Larkin and (Anthony) Mantha and (Tyler) Bertuzzi. They're all kind of the same age as I am. Not overly old. I'm not young, but I have four years of experience in the league now. So, hopefully I can mesh well with the group."

Stecher is still skating and working out in Vancouver, awaiting more clarity on the start of the 2021 NHL schedule before making the move to Detroit. When he arrives, he'll see some familiar faces in former Canucks teammates Alex Biega and Sam Gagner.

"I know 'Bulldog' (Biega) really well," Stecher said. "We sat together in the locker room in Vancouver for two years. I'm excited to be back with him. I know his wife, Diane, and their three boys. We follow them on Instagram, my girlfriend and me. We keep in touch with them. They're a great family. Same with Sam Gagner. I know their family quite well. I'm excited to see them again and spend some quality time."

Stecher is listed at just 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds. But he's developed a reputation for his physical style of play and mixing it up on the ice during his young career, something he's eager to bring to Detroit.

"As an undersized guy, especially growing up through the ranks of junior and college, I think everybody kind of just labeled me just a strictly offensive guy," Stecher said. "Just being true to myself, I wouldn't say I was ever a superstar or someone that could dominate based on my skill. I've always kind of had to rely on my work ethic and that aspect of my game to kind of make up for everything else. It's something I pride myself on and I carry with me. I'll bring that same intensity to Detroit that I had in Vancouver."

That intensity will be a welcomed attribute for Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill and his coaching staff as they determine pairings and combinations during Training Camp. But in speaking to the coaches and management, it became clear to Stecher that nothing will be simply handed to any Red Wings player this season.

"Nobody's position is guaranteed or locked where they played," Stecher said. "So, the onus is on me to come to camp prepared, to earn the ice time that I want and that I feel I deserve. I've been looking for an opportunity to play a different role, kind of the role I played in college where I might be more of a go-to guy or somebody that the coaching staff can trust more. I hope to earn that here."

As many current and former players who have worn the Winged Wheel will express, the rich history and tradition of the Red Wings franchise is intriguing. It's often the differentiator that brings players to Hockeytown.

In Stecher's case, divine intervention may have led him to Detroit. Stecher unfortunately lost his father, Peter, to complications from diabetes on Father's Day earlier this year. Despite raising his family in British Columbia, Peter Stecher was a lifelong Wings fan.

"I don't want to get too personal, but I lost my dad this year, and he was a diehard Red Wings fan, even though we're from here in Vancouver," Stecher said. "I think a lot of people around his generation were, just with the success and the history that the organization has had. The amount of playoffs that they've made, and the Stanley Cups they've won. So, for me, I think it was a little message from my dad, kind of telling me that this was the place to be. I couldn't be more excited."

NHL.com/Detroit Red Wings

 

Stecher was a “revelation” to me when I went to a Nucks game with Lava, (I always pick out the player in a game that I had not really been familiar with that impressed me).

Troy has game. I expect Wings fans will grow to love this guy, and that fans of Atlantic foes will grow to hate him.

 

Stecher was a “revelation” to me when I went to a Nucks game with Lava,


Yes he played well that night vs the Capitals.......I do remember you saying how impressed you were with Troy during the game.

Will he is a Vancouver Boy so he will be missed.....But your going to Love him on the Blue Line......he is smart with the puck.

 

Inside look at Detroit Red Wings
Hope roster shuffle leads to improvement while top prospects develop

The Detroit Red Wings will look a lot different this season.

They were active in the trade and free agent markets, adding goalie Thomas Greiss; defensemen Jon Merrill, Marc Staal and Troy Stecher; and forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov.

At the same time, they subtracted goalie Jimmy Howard; defensemen Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson; and forwards Justin Abdelkader and Brendan Perlini.

They are taking a patient, methodical approach to their rebuild. General manager Steve Yzerman declines to give a timeline for a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which the Red Wings have missed the past four seasons.

They need to wait for the development of top prospects like forward Lucas Raymond, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and defenseman Moritz Seider, the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

But that does not mean they were content to stand pat after last season, when they went 17-49-5, finished last in the League and had the worst points percentage (.275) since the NHL salary cap was introduced in 2005-06.

"We'll just kind of continue to do what we're doing," Yzerman said. "We'll look for ways to improve the team. The plan isn't just to sit and not try to improve and get better from year to year. We're going to try and get better from year to year.

"The reality is, you're limited to what you can do, and you're limited, or you're restricted, by the time it takes for each prospect to develop. [Becoming a contender is] just not as simple as just going out and making a bunch of trades and getting really good players and signing a bunch of free agents."

The idea is to improve in the short term but keep flexibility in the medium and long terms, buying time for the next wave of players.

None of the new arrivals came with a long-term commitment. Greiss, Stetcher and Namestnikov each is signed for two seasons. Merrill, Staal and Ryan each is signed for one.

Greiss upgrades the goaltending and joins Jonathan Bernier to make Detroit strong at the position. Staal, Stecher and Merrill add experience and depth at defenseman. Ryan provides scoring punch on the wing, especially on the power play, and Namestnikov is a smart, skilled player who can play in any situation at center or on the wing.

"It's going to be awesome," forward Anthony Mantha said. "We know Bobby can shoot the puck. Obviously, he's been around for a long time, and we know what he's capable of. And just in summer practice, Namestnikov keeps the puck, and he likes to control it. And I think in Detroit, we're not having enough players that keep the puck like he does. Hopefully they can have a big impact for us in the near future."

Yzerman left open the possibility the Red Wings could do more before the season, which is targeted to begin Jan. 1.

"We've got a lot of bodies right now," Yzerman said. "I do think there's room potentially to add, and I would consider it as we go along or as we get closer to knowing when we're going to start."

The Red Wings need more growth from some younger players who are already on the roster and playing leading roles: Mantha, 26; forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, 25, and Dylan Larkin, 24; and defenseman Filip Hronek, 23.

Many of their top prospects are playing in Europe, but at least a couple could play in Detroit this season. Forward Filip Zadina, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has been loaned to Trinec of the Czech Extraliga but can come to North America once the NHL and AHL seasons start. Seider has been loaned to Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League but can return to North America after Rogle's season ends.

"We're going to be contenders at some point," said Mantha, who signed a four-year contract Nov. 3. "The rebuild needs a couple years to get there, and then the team's going to be good and that's when the opportunity's going to come. If it's Year Two, Three or Four, I'll be around, and hopefully I can help this team."

NHL.com

 

Wings ought to go after Max Patcioretty. He might be available in trade... I kinda like his game and offense would be nice.

VGK needs to move him, or it would help anyway to clear up cap space.

Just thinking out loud.

 

There’s been a dearth of activity that, IMHO, portends a very active flurry now that we’re getting much closer to clarity. To wit:
- There will not be any compliance buyouts to alleviate cap pain.
- Ten teams (almost 1/3 of the league) MUST make moves in order to become cap compliant.
- Some teams would like to tweak their roster, but make a move or two in order to make the tweaks work.
- The simple rule of pent up demand portends a lot of trades.

Teams with cap space to spare are in the driver’s seat. Smart GM’s will pounce, and the Wings check both of those boxes. I think the Wings will look a lot more competitive on Jan. 13th than they do today.

Boston has been rather quiet, and I expect they’ll make judicious moves that make other teams envious.

Buffalo has been very active, but they have more need for improvement than most. They’ll look for opps to upgrade LHD & G, but probably fall into the group that must make other moves first. They have a highly desirable excess at RHD.

They also have had a regime change; prospects should not feel a sense of security as they normally would. Therefore, Casey Mittlestadt, Tage Thompson, and others could be moved for the right offers. Even a player like Samson Reinhart might be discussed in trade talks.

 

Wings are in a good position to make a move and Pacioretty would be a great one. Ive read the rumors too but why would they trade their leading scorer, seems like they have worse money on the books....such as that deal they just signed Pietrangelo to. Im sure they could get back more for Pac so maybe thats why. Pacioretty has a 10 team no trade clause, something to keep in mind.

Bruins dont have enough for Pacioretty but I think theyre in a good spot if a different opportunity arises. Otherwise for this season theyre in a holding pattern with Chara, although I dont think he'll require much to re-sign. Im thinking the Broonz will be big players next off season. Tuukka ($7), Halak ($2.25) and Krejci ($7.25) are all up. Gotta keep Tuukka and maybe keep Krejci, but at a number much lower than his current one. Halak will probably earn more money.....adios. Sweeney is gonna have some money to play with next year.