NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2025
What could be in store for the Red Wings this off-season? Could the Sharks trade the potential first-overall pick? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RED WINGS?
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at some of the storylines facing the Detroit Red Wings following another disappointing season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings’ postseason drought is at a team-record nine seasons, with the last six under general manager Steve Yzerman. The first three seasons were expected because they were rebuilding, but their struggles to break through as a playoff contender have some observers suggesting the “Yzerplan” is broken.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
The Red Wings’ offensive depth remains a concern beyond Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. They’ll have to find a way to get more out of the group they have, or shake things up this summer.
Bultman thinks the Wings should bring back Patrick Kane. The 36-year-old right wing developed a strong chemistry this season with linemates DeBrincat and Marco Kasper. He seemed to like playing in Detroit the past two years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is eligible for unrestricted free agent status but could be enticed to return for one or two more seasons. However, that could depend on management’s plans to improve the roster for next season.
The Red Wings could be aggressive this summer to improve their roster. Bultman doesn’t expect them to throw expensive contracts at as many big names as possible. He recommends adding a shutdown defenseman like Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings.
Bultman acknowledges there could be some free-agent forwards to consider like Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Brock Boeser or Nikolaj Ehlers. He thinks they might only be able to make a big swing at one position.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Defense seems the priority for the Wings. The depth at that position really drops beyond top blueliner Moritz Seider, though Simon Edvinsson showed promise this season.
SHARKS COULD BE OPEN TO TRADING THE FIRST-OVERALL PICK
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng reports San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier could be open to trading the first-overall pick if his club wins next month’s NHL Draft Lottery.
The Sharks won last year’s draft lottery and selected foundation player Macklin Celebrini. Finishing last overall, they have the best odds of winning the lottery again.
Grier noted the consensus first-overall pick is defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters, after which it’s more forward-heavy. He wouldn’t say no if he received a really good offer of young, established players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every general manager holding the first-overall pick says they’re willing to listen to offers because they know it’s almost certain they won’t get any that’ll tempt them to part with that pick.
The last time that happened was in 2003, when the Florida Panthers traded it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That pick turned into Marc-Andre Fleury. To be fair to the Panthers, they already had a future Hall-of-Fame goalie on their roster named Roberto Luongo.
Sharks need defense, if they get #1 they will draft Matthew Schaefer! They might trade #2 if they get that.
Plus they wanted that power forward whose name I’ve forgotten (sucks getting old) anyway and got the third overall pick back as well as a second and a middle six forward. Wait. Horton! So not really a “we moved the 1st overall for a haul of young players “ type deal.
here’s a thought, maybe Yzerman could acquire an actual #1 goalie, and not goalies way past their prime (Talbot,Mrazek,Lyon). Not having a top goalie is what’s holding them back. They could probably add a veteran dman as well, Petry’s days are almost done
Chronicling Detroit’s long period of wandering the wilderness, let;s begin with the last time they made the playoffs – 2015-16 – when they finished 8th in the Conference (3rd in the Atlantic) with 93 pts (41 – 30 – 11) – .567 – and a goals differential of -13 (211 – 224) – they lost in Round 1 to Tampa 4-1). The following 3 seasons began their 9-year drought:
2016-17 – finished 14th in the Conference with 79 pts (33 – 36 – 13) – .482 – 16 pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals differential of -37 (207 – 244)
2017-18 – finished 13th in the Conference with 73 pts (30 – 39 – 13) – .445 – 23pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals differential of -38 (217 – 255)
2018-19 – finished 14th in the Conference (32 – 40 – 10) – .451 – 24 pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals differential of -50 (227 – 277)
Steve Yzerman takes over as GM on April 19, 2019
2019-20 – in the shortened season (71 games due to COVID) finished last in the Conference (17 – 49 – 5) – .275 – 32pts back of the last playoff qualifier with a goals differential of -122 (145 – 267)
2020-21 – in the second shortened COVID season (56 games) finished 7th in the 8-team Discover Central Division (19 – 27 – 10) – .429 – 16 pts back of the last playoff qualifier in the Division with a goals differential of -44 (127 – 171)
2021-22 – finished 12th in the Conference with 74 pts (32 – 40 – 10) – .451 – 26 pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals differential of -82 (230 – 312)
2022-23 – finished 12th in the Conference with 80 pts and the same record as Washington (35-37-10) – .488 – 12 pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals-differential of -39 (240 – 279)
2023-24 – tied Washington for the 2nd WC slot with 91 pts (41 – 32 – 9) – .555 – AND had 1 more win and were a +4 in goals differential (278 – 274) to Washington’s glaring -37, but lost due to the “regulation wins” tie-breaker (36 to 27)
In the season just ended they had a bit of a relapse finishing 10th in the Conference (39 – 35 – 8) – .524 – 5 pts back of the 2nd WC slot with a goals differential of -21 (238 – 259)
So, how much time does he get? His predecessor, who won 3 cups in his time, was gone after 3 losing seasons. Yzerman just finished twice that.
I believe a lot of Yzermans early success in Tampa had a lot to do with brilliant drafting and players he inherited. But even with that he could not put them over the top.
Seems like yet another great player / sentiment gm signing.
I still think he picked the brains of his assistant GM in Tampa – Julien BriseBois.
His predecessor also benefited from no salary cap and an owner that would spend whatever they needed to.
Well, the cap came in in 2005-06, and since Holland lasted to 2019, he did endure at least 12 years of the cap system
Can’t over simplify the process.
Yzerman’s first 4 drafts with the Wings has yielded Seider, Raymond, Edvinnson, Kasper, Johansson. All appear to be solid NHL players.
Remaining on the roster from previous GM drafts – Larkin, Rasmussen, Berggren.
As a Wings fan, we want playoffs and progress, but at what cost?
Giving up the players Yzerman has drafted for 30+ year olds that may help for a year or 2?
Rushing draft picks and end up in same spot within a few years (Buffalo, Rangers, etc).
SY is doing the work that takes a long view.
Mistakes? Yes – signing Holl, hiring and sticking with Lalonde probably the worst mistakes.
Patience will run out shortly.
But, a marked turnaround will come quickly, not thru free agents, but as Sandin-Pellika, Wallinder, Anton Johansson, Buium, Danielson, Buchelnikov, Kiskanen, Nygard, Cossa, Augustine arrive and some hit as NHL caliber players.
The cupboard was not just bare, but empty. Over payments had to be made to get any players to come to the organization.
As a Wings fan who lived thru the 70s and 80s – watching young players and draft picks shipped away in desperate swings for relevance – patience is key.
Acquire with what? Who are you willing to give up?
Sharks need help, in their depths, on defense, so it makes no sense for them to pass on Shaefer
The Sharks won’t pass up picking first. Last year Grier all but said they were drafting Celebrini 1st overall long before the draft. He isn’t going to do that again.
Detroit drafted a goalie in 2021 and fairly high for that position -Cossa at #15…IT’S Time !
I think Sandin-Pelika and Wallinder will be in the lineup
Yeah, Cossa is a huge goalie – 6′ 6″ 230lbs and sports good AHL stats over 2 seasons. Another who should make the roster is 6′ 3″ 210 lbs LD Shai Buium, taken in the 2nd round – 36th overall that same year.
I would think this will be do or die insofar as Yzerman’s job is concerned.
They should hire Greg Cronin to replace him – he was just fired by Anaheim – see in the Headlines thread.
Oops. Placed wrong – should have followed Slick62’s post on Laviolette fired.
Laviolette fired
Just saw that Slick62 – gotta love TSN’s blurb
“The New York Rangers fired coach Peter Laviolette on Saturday in the aftermath of missing the playoffs.
The move made by general manager Peter Laviolette came after the Rangers missed the playoffs, the result of a lost season during which they massively underachieved preseason expectations following a trip to the Eastern Conference final last year.”
So, he fired himself – lol. Good to know we’re not the only ones to make posting gaffes.
I still dont get the Mrazek trade Yzerman made.
He was getting ahead to next season already, not wanting to re-sign Lyon. And he did not like Veleno because Joy did not produce after Y gave him that 2 yr contract with a raise.
Hmmm, I meant Joey.