Acquiring a goaltender to pair with Thomas Greiss is among the top priorities this offseason for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman.
Jonathan Bernier is the logical choice. He has been one of their best players the past two seasons and the club knows what it has in Bernier.
But does Bernier want to return (he says he does)? If so, can he and the club agree on term and money?
One MLive reader pondered some alternatives in this week’s mailbag:
Q: Bernier has been great for the Wings, but he’s (33 in August), so wouldn’t it make more sense to package some picks and maybe a prospect to trade for a young goalie that’s going to be here for a while? – Jack
A: It would, but that’s easier said than done. There might be some younger goalies available through trade, such as Joonas Korpisalo of Columbus.
But if whoever they target is going to be around only for the short term (Korpisalo will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022), the Red Wings aren’t going to want to relinquish assets for him.
Bernier remains the most viable option, but if they can’t agree on a deal, the Red Wings probably would seek short-term help in free agency as opposed to a trade.
Chris Driedger of Florida, 27, might be the best option. The list of UFA goalies also includes Frederik Andersen, 31, and David Rittich, 29, of Toronto, Jaroslav Halak, 36, of Boston, Brian Elliott, 34, of Philadelphia, Linus Ullmark, 28, of Buffalo, Antti Raanta, 32, of Arizona, and James Reimer, 33, of Carolina.
The Hurricanes’ Petr Mrazek also is a UFA, but it’s doubtful the Red Wings would want to go down that road again.
Vezina Trophy finalist Philipp Grubauer seems likely to re-sign with Colorado. Tuukka Rask will probably return to Boston if he doesn’t retire.
Q: Remember when Ken Holland was so happy that (Filip) Zadina fell to the Wings at the sixth pick (in 2018). He was surprised that Montreal took (Jesperi) Kotkaniemi (at No. 3). Well, Kotkaniemi has been on Montreal’s NHL roster for many more games and seasons than Zadina has been on the Wings’ NHL roster. Watch Yzerman slowly eliminate Holland’s draft picks from the Wings team. (Dennis) Cholowski is on the bubble. – CJ
A: I don’t know if Holland was surprised that Kotkaniemi went third; he was projected by many to be off the board when the Red Wings selected. I think the biggest surprise in the top five was Arizona taking Barrett Hayton fifth, and the Red Wings were delighted Zadina was available.
In hindsight, Quinn Hughes would have been the better pick. But Zadina made progress this season with his play without the puck. He’s still young (21) and inexperienced (three pro seasons), and the club remains optimistic that he will develop into a solid player.
Yzerman isn’t looking to specifically eliminate the previous front office’s picks. They remain high on the top four 2018 selections (Zadina, Joe Veleno, Jonatan Berggren and Jared McIsaac), the top two 2017 picks (Michael Rasmussen, Gustav Lindstrom) and the two second-round picks in 2016 (Givani Smith, Filip Hronek).
Cholowski has been slow to develop, but they’re being patient. He surely will be protected for the expansion draft, and having a regular spot on the NHL roster from the start of next season – when he no longer is waiver-exempt – might help.
Q: Seth Jones. Any chance at all? – Todd
A: Yzerman is aggressive, and he surely will explore the possibilities. Ultimately, the Red Wings might not be able to offer as much (some combination of established young player/top prospect/draft picks) as other teams.
And with Jones, 26, set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, any team that acquires him must be sure that he wants to stay long-term. It does the Red Wings no good to relinquish quality assets for a one-year rental.
Teams under pressure to win now -- like Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Florida – might be more apt to aggressively pursue Jones.
Q: Looks like Minnesota has similar issues as Detroit is having with their collegiate goalie. Do you think Detroit would pitch (Filip) Lindberg if he hits free agency? Seems more and more like (Keith) Petruzzelli is moving on. – Jeremy
A: It sure doesn’t look like Petruzzelli will sign with the Red Wings. He apparently is contemplating whether to play a fifth season at Quinnipiac. If he doesn’t return to college, he might opt for free agency this summer, like Lindberg, who led Massachusetts to the NCAA championship.
As thin as the Red Wings are in goal in their system, especially if Petruzzelli isn’t signed, it would make sense to pursue Lindberg when he becomes a free agent on July 28.
(If you have a Red Wings-related question, email akhan1@mlive.com.)
The Link LonkJune 06, 2021 at 05:06PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/06/red-wings-mailbag-is-trading-for-goalie-a-viable-option.html
Red Wings mailbag: Is trading for goalie a viable option? - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment