Updating this Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri Zadina - Rasmussen - Vrana Namestikov - Veleno - Erne Smith - Open - Gagner Nielsen Leddy - Seider DeKeyser - Hronek Stall - Stetcher Oesterle - Lindstron Nedelijkovic Greiss I expect another C just because I don’t think we roll into the season with Ras, Veleno and Pearson down the middle. Beyond that, I still imagine Bertuzzi gets dealt, opening up a spot in the top nine for one of the kids.
From the Athletic 1. Pius Suter Perhaps the most surprising name to go unqualified Monday was Blackhawkscenterman Pius Suter, who put up nearly a half-point per game as a rookie last season in Chicago. Red Wings fans will remember he scored his first career goal against the Red Wings — as well as two more in the same game to complete the hat trick. In fact, he scored five goals against Detroit last season, so the Red Wings brass should be plenty familiar with his name. He was a breakout player for the Blackhawks, playing 16 minutes per night, and playing a premium position at age 25, he immediately becomes a player of interest for teams looking for centers — which should be just about all of them. Can the rebuilding Red Wings get him on board? They certainly can’t sell him on Stanley Cup contention, but they may be able to offer some of the most available playing time, with the potential to slot onto the second line. Suter’s 27 points last season would have led the Red Wings. In terms of the advanced stats, Dom Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model likes Suter as a potential top-six contributor next season with top-nine potential for a few years after that — but it also offers some uneven comparables, which underscore the potential variance and volatility in adding a player with such a short NHL track record. Certainly, the Blackhawks not qualifying Suter matters (a caveat that applies to all of these players), and Suter notably does not help answer the Red Wings’ need for a right-shot forward. What kind of term he’s looking for will matter significantly, too, as Detroit would be unwise to give too much term coming out of one (abbreviated and unusual) season. But in terms of a player who can help bring the offense the Red Wings so badly need, at a young enough age to potentially stick around if he hits, Suter immediately jumps out as a compelling option.
Another update Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri Zadina - Suter - Vrana Rasmussen - Veleno - Erne Smith - Namestikov - Gagner Nielsen Leddy - Seider DeKeyser - Hronek Stall - Stetcher Oesterle - Lindstron Nedelijkovic Greiss I think Ras moves to the wing to a lot Suter in the top six, allowing Veleno to anchor the third line.
This team seems quite a bit better on paper. And that’s without any other young guys making the team. I could see a couple more on the opening night roster.
Nice pickup. Desperate for centers and he’s young enough that he might turn into something more. Takes some pressure off Ras and Veleno now too
I like the gamble, but he also may have benefited from playing with Kane. Will be interesting to see how he does with us. Think we are done. Maybe a minor move here or there
Steve literally made his worst move first, and then just racked up W’s for the next ten days. I don’t believe Suter is going to be this great player for us, but if he’s with Zadina and/or Vrana, that’s huge for those guys. I really think there is a chance to have two okay scoring lines, but we are still going to play ugly low event hockey. If the special teams are at least competent, we are probably closer to the 10th worst team than the worst. Big if under Blash though.
The Athletic's take on the Stars signing Glendening: Luke Glendening: Hockey Men love this man more than their own children it seems, but every time he’s out there it’s nothing but pain for the Red Wings. The minutes he plays are tough, but they are also disastrous. Over the last three seasons, he has had a 41 percent expected and actual goals rate. Why pay anything above league minimum for that? If every dollar counts in a flat cap world, there shouldn’t be any premium on Glendening.
Another blast from the past. He’s also a guy who isn’t afraid to fight. It’s barbaric, but the AHL is a mess of a league and you need guys to protect the Raymond’s of the world.
Undrafted FA outta Maine. He went elsewhere when his deal ended. He’s a competent AHL player that can play minutes for us in a pinch.
Also apparently he mentioned a healthy Bertuzzi as part of reason team will be improved. I still don't buy we are shopping him (not saying we wouldn't move him if someone made a good offer)
Stephens is only 24 and he’s been a fairly productive AHL player. He’s seen some time with TB but hasn’t gotten much of an opportunity. This is a good buy low candidate for C depth.
he had an opportunity and was our 4th C. He got demoted to healthy scratch when we got goodrow/Coleman in 2020. In 2021 he was our 4C with Kucherov out all year until he had a bad injury in January. Surgery required leg injury. Not sure what but when he got healthy Colton was locked into the lineup, Joseph was playing well and then Kucherov came back. I think he’s a solid player. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was more productive in a bigger role. Definitely closer to solid/dependable like Erne then breakout candidate like verhaeghe and marchessault were when they left but I think you guys will look back very favorably on this pickup.
I think that this move keeps Joe in GR. Bert - Larkin - Vrana Fabbri - Suter - Zadina Erne - Rasmussen - Gagne Smith - Stephens - Namestikov
If Tatar remains unsigned for a few more days, I think we should kick the tires on him. He’s an amazing 5 on 5 scorer, and we need more offense.
4.75 per. Surprised he got that much, and also surprised he took two years. I assume he won’t finish the deal as a Wing, but good for all parties.
We are less than an hour out from the deadline for players to file for arbitration. Vrana, Erne and Pearson are eligible to file, while Hronek and Smith are not. Ideally Vrana doesn’t file because a deal is close, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they all file just to be safe.
either option takes Erne to UFA. Vrana has two more years of team control. This also opens a second buyout window. Financially it doesn’t make sense for us to use it on Nielsen, but we could use his roster spot. It’s a way to save him from having to report from GR.
Dom at The Athletic’s model has us as the 7th most improved team, with our moves accounting for 2.2 wins added to his projection.