NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2020

by | May 24, 2020 | Rumors | 21 comments

Check out the latest on the Detroit Red Wings in today’s NHL rumor mill.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports the Detroit Red Wings season may be over, but general manager Steve Yzerman faces a busy off-season.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman (Photo via NHL.com).

One of his first decisions will be whether to pick up the option year in head coach Jeff Blashill’s contract or find a new bench boss. Gerard Gallant and Lane Lambert (former Yzerman teammates) could be among the candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallant won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year for guiding the Vegas Golden Knights to the 2018 Stanley Cup in their expansion season. He could become the front-runner if the job becomes available.

In addition to deciding which of his free agents to re-sign, Khan speculates Yzerman could look to this year’s unrestricted free agent market for affordable second- and third-tier talent on short-term deals as stop-gap measures during the roster rebuild. He believes the Wings need a winger with scoring ability, a pair of defensemen, and a backup goaltender.

Khan also anticipates Yzerman will make low-risk value trades similar to his acquisitions of Robby Fabbri and Brendan Perlini.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Fabbri acquisition worked out well, but Perlini struggled throughout this season and probably won’t be back. Nevertheless, Yzerman will likely keep his eye open for once-promising players struggling with other clubs who could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.

THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan recently posted a three-part series examining potential UFA targets to address the Red Wings’ roster needs.

He doubts Arizona Coyotes winger Taylor Hall or Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will be interested in joining a rebuilding clubs like the Wings. He also expects the St. Louis Blues will re-sign Alex Pietrangelo while Michigan native Torey Krug could be re-signed by the Boston Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits suggested Krug might be willing to return home if he can’t sign with the Bruins. While we shouldn’t rule it out, I think he’d prefer playing for a contender.

Kulfan’s list of proposed forward options includes Colorado’s Vladislav Namestnikov, Florida’s Evgenii Dadonov, Mike Hoffman, or Erik Haula, Nashville’s Mikael Granlund, Vegas’ Tomas Nosek, or the New York Rangers’ Jesper Fast.

Blueline possibilities could include Toronto’s Tyson Barrie, Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz, Washington’s Brenden Dillon, or the New York Islanders’ Andy Greene.

Goaltending targets could include Vegas’ Robin Lehner, but the term and price would have to be worked on). Others include Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, the Islanders’ Thomas Greiss, and Calgary’s Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Wings have over $46.2 million invested in 11 players. Once Yzerman re-signs key free agents like Fabbri, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Anthony Mantha, he’ll have plenty of cap room to bring in a couple of quality veteran free agents on short-term deals.

With the salary cap remaining around $81.5 million and several clubs looking to pinch pennies, that could work in Yzerman’s favor. If he sticks to affordable short-term options, he’ll have plenty to choose from once the notable names are snapped up.







21 Comments

  1. Lyle,

    The Blues are one of those teams trying to “pinch pennies”. Would Jake Allen be an option in Detroit for Yzerman? The Blues could add a couple mid-prospects (Reinke who played college @ Mich Tech, and Poganski). That ought to get them a 2nd round pick and free up cap dollars.

    • Provided they can re-sign Allen, why not? Could be worth looking into, but if he plans to test next summer’s trade market, it won’t be worth the assets.

    • It’s difficult to imagine that the Red Wings (who are several more years from being a contender) giving up a 2nd round pick for an overpaid back-up goalie (though a good one) and a couple of older prospects with underwhelming minor league careers, and who most likely have 2 chances left to become NHL players – slim, and none. No thanks.

      • For what it’s worth when the jets needed cap space and had a veteran goalie being used as a backup they traded with the Canadiens. Joel Armia, Steve Mason, a seventh-round draft pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2020 from the Winnipeg Jets, in exchange for defenseman Simon Bourque.

        Allen is being way overvalued on the site especially when considering the goalie market this year.

    • Sorry Iowa. If n this market it would probably be Allen and a second ( or at least some type of asset) to Detroit for a nominal return.

  2. I would think Lehner as an UFA or a trade for Georgiev might come before trading for Allen….though the Blues do need to shed salary to resign Piet…
    We should think Yzerman will take care of his net this summer.

    I also think if the Bruins win the Cup Krug signing in Detroit becomes a higher %

    • Goaltending is definitely the priority, followed by shoring up the blueline and adding a veteran scorer.

    • Goaltending is definitely the priority, followed by shoring up the blueline and adding a veteran scorer.

  3. I keep reading how Robin Lehner is going to hold firm to his intention to finally receiving a long-term deal for substantial dollars, and “how he was the Blackhawks best goalie when he was traded.
    I don’t know if the talks with the Hawks were completely fruitful but I am sure the organization was honest to a fault numberswise, and not “let’s wait and see.” Lehner’s play declined and Crawford came on stronger down the stretch. My only question to any team interested in his is do they put on blinders to the fact he cannot be effective in shoot-out? Just sayin’

  4. I think the Wings would take Allen with a mid round pick and nothing going back to St Louis. He may have other ideas on the goalie department as the Wings really don’t have any prospects ready to step into a backup roll. As for Krug, no thank you. To much money for a guy who will be mid 30s when team hits its playoff window. Joel Edmundson and Sami Vatenen are more in line with what Wings need for next 2 or 3 years. Need to know what we have in Seider and Hronek going forward. Hoping the Wings stay course and ship any big long term Ufa deals this year.

    • I agree with you Az. I would not give up much for Allen, nor sign any long term UFA’s this year. I might disagree with the actual D’men you mentioned, but the idea of signing a couple of second tier experienced guys to shorter term deals while we find out more about what we already have is the way to go.

      • lago & AZ,

        Last chance—Allen for a 6th

        IB

  5. Strome, DeAngelo and Gorgiev for Larkin and a 2nd rd pick. Go

    • Nope – not interested in moving Larkin – period.

    • Ha Ha Ha, Not even remotely close for Larkin, Larkin would cost minimally Kakko and Gorton would never do that. Strome couldn’t hack it with the Isles or Oilers and DeAngelo we don’t need him with Hronek and Seider set as our top 4 RD. And while Georgiev is nice not at the price of Larkin. Could possibly see Yzerman being interested in one of Georgiev, Jarry or Murray depending o how the UFA Goalie market bares out. Other then that no thanks.

      • Haha. I don’t seriously think Wings would part with Larkin, but that’s a pretty fair offer. A 2/3c who can also play wing. He had some down years with bad teams, but he actually has more points this year than Larkin. A top 4 d man who I’d argue is better than Hronek and is a better option to QB the PP than Krug. And a potential #1 goalie. Detroit has 3 2nd rd picks

      • If he had down years with bad teams why think he would do better with wings? Tony has to prove its more than a one off and georgiev hasn’t proven he can be a starter yet.

    • As a Ranger fan I’d pass as well.

      • Georgiev – a potential #1 ? With a 3.04 GPA ? No, he is and will be a career back-up – and only an average one, at best.

      • I’m not saying Georgiev is some sort of phenom. But a little early to call him a career back up. Actually it’s equally ridiculous as calling him a #1

        He has played 77 nhl games in front of a rebuilding, young , not good defense / team.

        Jarry in Pittsburgh looked like 💩, until he didn’t granted … jarry may be 💩. But you don’t know until you know!

      • Slick62 Why would Detroit have any interest in Strome? We’re in perfect position to draft one of byfield/Stutzle or Rossi as our future 2C. And we don’t need DeAngelo as we’re set at RD with Hronek, Seider and Lindstrom and multiple others. Or we can just draft a cheaper Jamie Drysdale. And sorry but Georgiev isn’t a #1 Goalie not even in Detroit and once again we could draft a better future Goalie in Yaraslov Askarov instead. Bottom line is that Larkin is worth far more then what you’re offering. Strome and DeAngelo combined could cost us between $10m to $11m per for 7 years or so. Not the least bit interested in giving up our future Captain for that package sorry.