2026 UFA targets

[PelagicJoe]

I wasn't sure if this warrants a separate thread from the trade target one or not.

Alex Tuch, Mason Marchment, and Darren Raddysh are the intriguing names I see in the UFA pool. I guess we could go ape shit and throw the bank at Ovechkin or Malkin for a year, but those guys aren't signing anywhere else if they sign at all.

Thoughts?

 

[Frk It]

I think Bjorkstrand could be had for a reasonable price and could do well in an expanded role here. Adds speed, skill, scoring.

 

[Oddbob]

Raddysh is going to break the bank with the season he just had and the cap going up. Tuch is one I would be ok with, but not at the crazy money he is asking (rumoured near 12) and he probably will get close to it as the UFA class is low tier this year and many teams needing to fix stuff.

Marchment won't likely come here as when he got traded from Dallas he had trade protection and only wanted no state income tax teams.

 

[Frk It]

LD to bump Chiarot down the lineup: Ferraro, Soucy
LW that can play in the top 6: McMann, Schwartz
Guys that can help our non-existent bottom 6 scoring: Olofson, Roslovic, Bunting, Kapanen
Guys that whoop ass: Reaves

 

[RedWingzz]

Nobody. Worst FA class ever.

 

[SirloinUB]

LD to bump Chiarot down the lineup: Ferraro, Soucy
LW that can play in the top 6: McMann, Schwartz
Guys that can help our non-existent bottom 6 scoring: Olofson, Roslovic, Bunting, Kapanen
Guys that whoop ass: Reaves

Id love to add one guy from each bucket (not a big Schwartz guy).

That 3rd group is a bit meh to me but I wouldn't be mad at a swing on one of those guys

Im a big time fan of adding McMann and Reaves this summer.

 

[jkutswings]

Tuch is one I would be ok with, but not at the crazy money he is asking

Which is it? Like it or not, for the foreseeable future any half decent player is going to get away more in free agency than they probably deserve.

If Detroit does anything at all in the UFA market, I'd much rather pay $12M for a $9M player than pay $6M for a $3M player. Unless they're going to rebuild the rebuild, actually getting better is a lot more important than maximizing cap space.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Project go get a couple Kraken:

1. McMann would be a solid add, I view scoring line forward as our biggest need. Small sample size, but he was pacing to put up 45 goals during his time in Seattle. The contract could end up being nightmarish given he's one of the few goal scorers available, but you have to dip your toes in those waters IMO.
2. Eeli Tolvanen, dude has averaged 210 hits over the past three seasons. He potted 23 goals the previous season. LFG.

 

[Oddbob]

LD to bump Chiarot down the lineup: Ferraro, Soucy
LW that can play in the top 6: McMann, Schwartz
Guys that can help our non-existent bottom 6 scoring: Olofson, Roslovic, Bunting, Kapanen
Guys that whoop ass: Reaves

Reaves is huge dirty boob on skates.

 

[SirloinUB]

Reaves is huge dirty boob on skates.

Better than the soft, zero personality boobs we currently have.

 

[Oddbob]

Better than the soft, zero personality boobs we currently have.

Nah, he is just a bully on skates.

 

[SirloinUB]

Which is it? Like it or not, for the foreseeable future any half decent player is going to get away more in free agency than they probably deserve.

If Detroit does anything at all in the UFA market, I'd much rather pay $12M for a $9M player than pay $6M for a $3M player. Unless they're going to rebuild the rebuild, actually getting better is a lot more important than maximizing cap space.

I’ve been debating a 14M offer for Tuch. Overpay? Sure. But who else is available and where else can we spend our money?

 

[SirloinUB]

Nah, he is just a bully on skates.

Good.

He also oozes personality which our team has zero of.

 

[Oddbob]

Good.

He also oozes some personality which our team has zero of.

He's an idiot all the way through. Who cares if he has "personality". It doesn't improve the on ice product even a little. Zero respect for players who makes their careers driving people from behind into the boards.

 

[SirloinUB]

He's an idiot all the way through. Who cares if he has "personality". It doesn't improve the on ice product even a little. Zero respect for players who makes their careers driving people from behind into the boards.

I think we need someone who can be mean out there. Someone who can drag some of our guys into the fight.

I also think our room of bland potatoes needs some energy and someone who can lighten the mood and inject some personality.

Reeves ticks all of those boxes. Does he cross the line at points? Absolutely. Do I give a shit if he gets suspended at some point? Not at all.

Give me an asshole that can stir some shit up and make some of the other assholes in the league answer the bell when they cheap shot Larkin.

 

[jkutswings]

I’ve been debating a 14M offer for Tuch. Overpay? Sure. But who else is available and where else can we spend our money?

Assuming he's open to Detroit at all, I don't think it would take quite $14M. But considering that over the last 4 years he has averaged 68 points and 24 even strength goals, he's a player I'd definitely make a push for, even with an overpayment.

I mean, if Detroit went very bold and landed both Tuch and EP40, you could have a top nine that's some variation on:

Raymond - Larkin - EP40
Debrincat - Kasper - Tuch
MBN - Finnie - Kane

No idea what combination ends up sticking. But that's definitely an influx of scoring.

 

[PelagicJoe]

Nobody. Worst FA class ever.

I am inclined to agree with you, despite the names Ovechkin and Malkin being in there.

 

[SirloinUB]

Assuming he's open to Detroit at all, I don't think it would take quite $14M. But considering that over the last 4 years he has averaged 68 points and 24 even strength goals, he's a player I'd definitely make a push for, even with an overpayment.

I mean, if Detroit went very bold and landed both Tuch and EP40, you could have a top nine that's some variation on:

Raymond - Larkin - EP40
Debrincat - Kasper - Tuch
MBN - Finnie - Kane

No idea what combination ends up sticking. But that's definitely an influx of scoring.

14m is just something I’d consider an overpay but f*** it. We’ve got no one to spend the money on. If you can do it for less, even better. Hell, I’d go higher than 14 if that’s what it took lol

I’d also be willing to throw a number at McMann that some people would consider silly.

If I can add someone who improves the team and they only cost money I don’t really care what it costs haha

 

[PelagicJoe]

Assuming he's open to Detroit at all, I don't think it would take quite $14M. But considering that over the last 4 years he has averaged 68 points and 24 even strength goals, he's a player I'd definitely make a push for, even with an overpayment.

I mean, if Detroit went very bold and landed both Tuch and EP40, you could have a top nine that's some variation on:

Raymond - Larkin - EP40
Debrincat - Kasper - Tuch
MBN - Finnie - Kane

No idea what combination ends up sticking. But that's definitely an influx of scoring.

I do like this idea. Have Copp center Danielson and Appleton or another kid on the 4th line. Dump Trashmussen and Compher for some picks. Surely we can find a sucker to take them. Ken Holland comes to mind lol.

 

[jkutswings]

I do like this idea. Have Copp center Danielson and Appleton or another kid on the 4th line. Dump Trashmussen and Compher for some picks. Surely we can find a sucker to take them. Ken Holland comes to mind lol.

Yeah, I really don't want to stick Nate on the fourth line with Copp as his center, but only so many problems can be solved at once. And maybe a slower start for him after injury would be ok anyway.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

McMann, Dickinson, Oleksiak, McCarron, Greer and maybe Marchment. Honestly, it is really hard to get too excited about any of them.

 

[saska sault]

Must be two things. Talented and a pain in the ass. Everything else is secondary... guys with character flaws? Bring em in. Yzerman has spent years trying to build a culture but the only culture currently is a losing one. Id be okay with Tuch but I don't want to imagine that contract... would be nice on a short term high AV deal but why would he go that route? McMann will end up with a bloated contract also... It would be nice to just leave roster spots open and truly see what the prospects are and if we sink in the standings we at least do it organically and with kids getting experience. Defense looks pretty set but there is still room to add and push some guys further down the depth chart.

 

[91Retired]

No one I am too excited about, no one really moves the dial or adds to the core, just no more 34-35+ stop gaps please. Enough is enough.

 

[SirloinUB]

I do like this idea. Have Copp center Danielson and Appleton or another kid on the 4th line. Dump Trashmussen and Compher for some picks. Surely we can find a sucker to take them. Ken Holland comes to mind lol.

I think Id rather see Nate start in the AHL on the first line than playing on our 4th line.

 

[SirloinUB]

Must be two things. Talented and a pain in the ass. Everything else is secondary... guys with character flaws? Bring em in. Yzerman has spent years trying to build a culture but the only culture currently is a losing one. Id be okay with Tuch but I don't want to imagine that contract... would be nice on a short term high AV deal but why would he go that route? McMann will end up with a bloated contract also... It would be nice to just leave roster spots open and truly see what the prospects are and if we sink in the standings we at least do it organically and with kids getting experience. Defense looks pretty set but there is still room to add and push some guys further down the depth chart.

We're 33M below the cap floor and Edvinsson is our only notable contract to sign. Id be okay giving a bloated contract to McMann or Tuch.