What Should Detroit Prioritize in Free Agency this Summer?

[FriendlyGhost92]

Anyway. St. Louis did it TWICE to Edmonton last year and it worked out great. Last I checked that's the NHL...

Last I checked that was 6 years into a cap freeze with two of the top five players in the world coming up for contracts in the next two years.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Last I checked that was 6 years into a cap freeze with two of the top five players in the world coming up for contracts in the next two years.

Just say you have no point and move on. That was last summer. And it will happen again. Thats why they just disclosed the compensation a week ago so teams know the prices to offer sheet...

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Just say you have no point and move on. That was last summer. And it will happen again. Thats why they just disclosed the compensation a week ago so teams know the prices to offer sheet...

You putting blinders on and ignoring the point doesn't mean the point doesn't exist. Sorry.

Maybe go back to drawing more NBA comparisons lmao.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

Might as well go crazy one more year and tank for McKenna/Stenberg before signing Connor etc... in 2026

Olofsson, Robinson , Connor brown forbort 1 year deals

Olofsson Larkin raymond
Debrincat Kasper kane
Eric Robinson compher brown
Soderblom copp mazur

Forbort seider
Edvinsson johanson
Chiarot holl


Yzerman texts larkin July 1 .... next time shut the f*** up

 

[RRhoads]

Just say you have no point and move on. That was last summer. And it will happen again. Thats why they just disclosed the compensation a week ago so teams know the prices to offer sheet...

The difference now is that every team in the league has a lot of cap space.

 

[Oddbob]

Just say you have no point and move on. That was last summer. And it will happen again. Thats why they just disclosed the compensation a week ago so teams know the prices to offer sheet...

Just this summer the cap is going up 7.5 and is expected to go up again next offseason. Last year EDM had no space, which is why STL gambled. Many more teams have space this year.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

Personally, I don't think this is the year to go diving in the free agent bin. The size of the deals this time around are going to be... concerning. Could you make an argument for a 96M+ Marner? Sure. I don't know if that is our best move as a franchise at this point, nor do I think we are tops on his list outside of some personal reason (we're not closest to the Cup, we're not the best chance to stick it to TOR, we're not furthest from TOR and the market, we won't offer him the most money, etc.)

But there just feels like a 'I'm mad and want something to happen now' sense right now, and people are looking at a) best FA at a position and say "sign him!", and looking through the lists, I just don't think any of these guys will not be 'I regret this person on our team' in two years.

I still believe the premier free agent names are not signing in DET this cycle, not yet at least. So the 'Sign Tavares' crew or Ehlers or whomever, I think they are looking for big time chances to win a cup and that's not us and there are enough teams with more than 10+ in cap who are going to spend on those guys to put them over the top.

You move into that 2nd tier of FAs - like the Ekbald, Boeser, Bennet. Those feel like the best plays here but they are going to get A LOT of money. Probably more they are worth (thus the nature of UFA), and I don't think any of them are going to meet or exceed the expectation of their contracts (Top 3 paid guy as % of cap). This is the group that I generally like the most if we're going to spin the wheel on? I could see a 7x for 50M Boeser being a good fit in our Top 6 but it still feels like a gamble and I'd be willing to bet we're not his top choice compared to like... a MIN.

So now you're kind of back in the middle tier of guys - the Gavrikov's, the LIndgrens... the Manthas but that's basically that Holl, Copp, Compher tier of guys which was fine when we were crawling out the bottom and 3-4yrs out from the kids being ready. Now? I just don't love any of these guys so much that I'd offer a 3-4 deal at 4M+ to net a lot of these guys coming in. I think it's the term and the expectation that creates a lot of concern around that tier of free agent for me.

All of this is to say, I don't think there is anything really that realistic that aligns to our current timeline and if we are to make significant improvements and personal changes, I hope its from trades at this point.

 

[heyfolks]

Marner - the guy has had 1 30 goal season (right at 30). He doesn't hit and his post season play leading into the UFA market was horrible. He makes $10+M per and some say he will get $14M. I can't see it. I HOPE he goes for $16M just to keep the Wings out of any bidding.

I am sticking with Bennett and Ekblad.

 

[SirloinUB]

Marner - the guy has had 1 30 goal season (right at 30). He doesn't hit and his post season play leading into the UFA market was horrible. He makes $10+M per and some say he will get $14M. I can't see it. I HOPE he goes for $16M just to keep the Wings out of any bidding.

I am sticking with Bennett and Ekblad.

Marner has scored more goals than Bennett every single season he's been in the NHL and is a year younger. Also he's had 2 x 30 goal seasons as opposed to Bennett's zero 30 goal seasons. Marner also has a better points/game in the playoffs.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Marner has scored more goals than Bennett every single season he's been in the NHL and is a year younger. Also he's had 2 x 30 goal seasons as opposed to Bennett's zero 30 goal seasons. Marner also has a better points/game in the playoffs.

He's also not a dirty POS like Bennett is.

I can understanding wanting Bennett up to a point, but man I'd have to hold my nose while such a gutless puke wore the Winged Wheel.

On the Wings I'm guessing we'd be lucky for Bennett to be a 20 20 guy like prime Cleary. Bennett had a career year on the Panthers (in a contract year) but was also notably a -15, worst on the team, while only playing 15 minutes of ESTOI.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Marner - the guy has had 1 30 goal season (right at 30). He doesn't hit and his post season play leading into the UFA market was horrible. He makes $10+M per and some say he will get $14M. I can't see it. I HOPE he goes for $16M just to keep the Wings out of any bidding.

I am sticking with Bennett and Ekblad.

I don't think Marner is a must acquire guy, but I'd be fine if he was legit interested in playing in Detroit.

• 63 points in 70 playoff games, including 30 points in last 31 playoff games
• 5v5 assist merchant, averages 42 even strength assists over the past 4 years
• 240ish PP mins per season, but Kane's roughly as effective 5v4
• 170ish PK mins per season

So long as he surrounded with a good defense and proper depth he'd be fine. The TML have focused on the core 4 and it's meant they don't have enough depth.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Marner - the guy has had 1 30 goal season (right at 30). He doesn't hit and his post season play leading into the UFA market was horrible. He makes $10+M per and some say he will get $14M. I can't see it. I HOPE he goes for $16M just to keep the Wings out of any bidding.

I am sticking with Bennett and Ekblad.

He also scored 35 in a season. More than anyone on Detroit since Hossa in 2009....