NHL Free Agency: Red Wings Linked To Busy Offseason

6 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors  /  Read Time: 1 minute 20 seconds

The Detroit Red Wings are bracing for what could be their most pivotal offseason under general manager Steve Yzerman, as Max Bultman of The Athletic detailed in a recent report. After a third straight late-season collapse — dropping eight of their last 11 games — the Red Wings are on the verge of missing the playoffs for a ninth consecutive year. Despite solid underlying metrics, including a top-five expected goals rate at five-on-five since late February, the lack of finishing and shaky goaltending have derailed their postseason hopes. “All a team like Detroit can do to guard against it is have more players it can count on for big goals when it needs them,” Bultman wrote, pointing to the need for a proven top-six scorer to support Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.A lot of people are gonna realize how important Nikolaj Ehlers is to this team if he walks in the offseason https://t.co/CBTXaAJINC— JetsHub (@JetsHubYT) March 23, 2025
Bultman links the Red Wings to several potential offseason targets, both in free agency and via trade. For help up front, he mentions names like Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, and even veteran Brad Marchand as possible options to boost the offense. Defensively, Bultman suggests a top-four addition—possibly Jakob Chychrun or Vladislav Gavrikov—to better insulate young players like Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson. In goal, Yzerman’s deadline acquisition of Petr Mrázek offered short-term relief, but Detroit’s .887 save percentage at five-on-five during the recent slide shows the issue remains unresolved. "It doesn’t necessarily preclude us," Yzerman said of Mrázek’s addition, “if an option comes up whether it’s trade or free agency.”After scoring a couple clutch goals recently, are you in or out on signing Brock Boeser to an extension?@ElliottWolfeJ and @Linaset debate that in the debut episode of #Canucks Brunch!— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) March 24, 2025
With $21 million in projected cap space and a deep prospect pool, Detroit has the flexibility to make some pretty significant moves. But with core pieces like Larkin and Alex DeBrincat nearing or entering their primes, waiting for internal development alone may not be enough. “The Red Wings look like they need to add at least one top-six difference-maker this summer,” Bultman concluded. For a team watching younger clubs like Columbus and Montreal close the gap, the pressure is mounting to act decisively—and finally end the drought.Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images...

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