The Detroit Red Wings Have Roster Decisions Ahead Of 2022-23 Season
Last season the Detroit Red Wings showed early that they can be competitive again and win some games. The second half proved that Detroit still has a long way to go and that the rebuild is not yet over. With that said the Red Wings have some free agents, both RFA and UFA, available for contracts if Detroit sees potential and a reason to bring them back into the fold.
Detroit has $35.771 million in cap space but has some deals to be struck before free agency hits on July 13th and they can hit the free-agent market themselves. RFA’s include forwards Filip Zadina, Mitchell Stephens, and defensemen Olli Juolevi and Jake Walman. The UFA list includes forwards Sam Gagner, Taro Hirose, Carter Rowney, Defensemen Danny DeKeyser, Marc Staal, and goaltenders Thomas Greiss, Calvin Pickard, and Magnus Hellberg.
Detroit does have cap space but not all of these free agents will be returning. My guess on who returns:
Filip Zadina
An excellent skater with a deceptive shot and has plenty of potential. Still young and able to play the system Detroit incorporates, Zadina was snake bitten last year as he could not buy a goal, regardless of who his linemates were. Zadina has not fully lived up to his potential but he showed signs last year he is coming around. Worthy of a new contract as he does not count much against the cap.
Mitchell Stephens
Came over from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offseason, Stephens impressed before his injury, contributing in all three zones and providing a spark every time on the ice. A good 4th liner with 3rd liner potential he deserves a contract based on his performance before the injury. A good, solid player who will not ask for big money but deserves a chance to show what he can do in a full season.
Jake Walman
As part of the trade that sent Nick Leddy to the St. Louis Blues Walman was thought of as just a throw-in to complete the deal. However, Walman proved he can be a player in this Detroit system. By the end of the year, Walman was one of Detroit’s better defensemen. He plays in all situations and has a cannon for a shot so he could be the quarterback on one of the power-play units. Like Zadina and Stephens, Walman will not count much against the cap and should get a new contract based on his play when he came over from St. Louis.
Sam Gagner
A player who is a coach’s dream. Will play on any line and in any situation. Gagner will not be as offensively productive as he once was but he does not have to be. He is good in all three zones and can contribute offensively in small doses. He can be brought back as simply a depth piece that knows Detroit’s system.
Taro Hirose
Another player who can be brought back for depth or even a top 6 player for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Has been tremendous while with the Griffins but still adapting to the NHL style of play. He has speed and can contribute offensively. A new contract will give him new hope and whether he is in Detroit or Grand Rapids he will continue to be a key piece in an offensive role.
Marc Staal
As a piece acquired from the New York Rangers a couple of seasons ago he was thought of as a depth defenseman who had seen his best days go by. However, he has shown he is not done yet and was one of Detroit’s better defensemen last season. He played in the defensive zone with perfect defensive coverage and even contributed some offense with his booming slapshot. He can be brought back cheap and be a veteran leader for the young defensive prospects that will make their way through the system.
The remaining free agents, I feel, go elsewhere and do not think they are in Detroit’s plans going forward. Depending on how many players re-sign the Red Wings may be able to tap into the free-agent market themselves, getting some depth pieces and players for Grand Rapids. This will be an interesting offseason for the Detroit Red Wings.