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 til Cat this year with 39....

 

[19 for president]

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.

I kind of feel like its Marner or bust at forward. Simply put these kind of guys rarely come up in UFA. I think its worth taking a shot, but I sort of agree with you on the note of us not being the most compelling team for him. The only thing I think we have is that we are still very close to family for him, but in a much more forgiving market. I feel like the Ehlers, Boesers, and Bennets are players I like but they are going to be to expensive for what they bring. Outside of taking a shot at Marner I'm largely ok going with the kids at forward.

Defense has to be addressed. I don't care if its via UFA and a guy like Gavrikov or via trade, but I don't think is ok to continue failing here. We need someone to pair with Seider or someone good enough to anchor the 2nd pair and allow Ed to go with Seider. If Yzerman had landed a decent top 4 last year I think we make the playoffs. We are never going to be an elite offensive team (without basically not playing D like 2 years ago), but I think our offense has been significantly been held back by how bad our D has been. We need to be able to activate our skilled dmen to get numbers in the O zone.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

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

Ummmm..... DeBrincat this last season?

I don't love or hate the Marner idea. He is a great PKer and we could totally use that. But I get the worry with giving this guy a huge deal.

 

[Run the Jewels]

I kind of feel like its Marner or bust at forward. The only thing I think we have is that we are still very close to family for him, but in a much more forgiving market. I feel like the Ehlers, Boesers, and Bennets are players I like but they are going to be to expensive for what they bring. Outside of taking a shot at Marner I'm largely ok going with the kids at forward.

It sounds like Marner has a boatload of crap to deal with in Toronto with a psychotic fanbase. I agree we aren't a perfect fit right now, but if he wants to play close to family Detroit would be an option.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Ummmm..... DeBrincat this last season?

I don't love or hate the Marner idea. He is a great PKer and we could totally use that. But I get the worry with giving this guy a huge deal.

And there's these conversations probably going on in every team forum about adding Marner.
With so many teams having cap space even with the stink of the Leafs failures on him, I expect him to get a big UFA payday.

 

[HisNoodliness]

Don't understand this.

He's the defensive leader on the Stanley Cup champs and kills virtually every penalty. He's not particularly fast afoot, but he's always in position Very, very good defensively. Boxes out the front of the net really well ... very strong. He's just not flashy.

That's because your information is out of date. He's not the Panthers defensive leader anymore. He starts 60% of his starts in the offensive end with middling quality of competition and relatively poor PK results. Seth Jones has become the guy in Florida. Mikkola and Forsling are passing Ekblad on their depth chart too.

As perhaps Ben Chiarot's biggest hater, I think the current Ekblad is rapidly trending in that direction. If Ekblad stays exactly as good as he is, he's fine on a second pairing. Better than Chiarot. If he loses another step? He's a third pairing/AHL guy.

My least favorite type of free agent target is the low IQ, heavy and athletic aging defenseman that's losing a step. There isn't a player that ages worse. They're even worse than thirty year old power forwards coming off career years riding high shooting percentages. Every single time, the contract turns into an anchor.

 

[FMichael]

I’m still on board with making Marner a priority…Given his lackluster playoff performances he’s still a damn good player throughout the regular season and that’s the 1st step in trying to make the post season…It’ll be Yzerman’s way to satisfy Larkin and the needed offensive help.

 

[Axel Sandy Pelikan]

Marner. Marner should be their priority. When he likely signs elsewhere, then you swap to top 4D. Marner is a legitimate star in the league and makes Detroit a lot better by himself.

 

[FMichael]

Marner. Marner should be their priority. When he likely signs elsewhere, then you swap to top 4D. Marner is a legitimate star in the league and makes Detroit a lot better by himself.

Agreed…Marner’s only issue with Detroit is that he cannot wear #16…But I’m certain we fans won’t mind seeing him wear #61.

 

[FMichael]

I kind of feel like its Marner or bust at forward. Simply put these kind of guys rarely come up in UFA. I think its worth taking a shot, but I sort of agree with you on the note of us not being the most compelling team for him. The only thing I think we have is that we are still very close to family for him, but in a much more forgiving market. I feel like the Ehlers, Boesers, and Bennets are players I like but they are going to be to expensive for what they bring. Outside of taking a shot at Marner I'm largely ok going with the kids at forward.

Defense has to be addressed. I don't care if its via UFA and a guy like Gavrikov or via trade, but I don't think is ok to continue failing here. We need someone to pair with Seider or someone good enough to anchor the 2nd pair and allow Ed to go with Seider. If Yzerman had landed a decent top 4 last year I think we make the playoffs. We are never going to be an elite offensive team (without basically not playing D like 2 years ago), but I think our offense has been significantly been held back by how bad our D has been. We need to be able to activate our skilled dmen to get numbers in the O zone.

I might be in the minority here, but I was fine with the Ed/AlJo pairing on the 2nd line…AlJo has been a nice surprise and a solid addition IMHO.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

Haven’t we all been complaining how he wings are basically a bunch of wimps who get tossed around by everyone and have no fight and grit? Adding marner wont solve that.... think someone like marner would benefit playing on a team like Florida(not them specifically, no $)

I’d try and trade for a power forward who can score and be productive before marner.

We need to get tougher

 

[stillwater]

That's because your information is out of date. He's not the Panthers defensive leader anymore. He starts 60% of his starts in the offensive end with middling quality of competition and relatively poor PK results. Seth Jones has become the guy in Florida. Mikkola and Forsling are passing Ekblad on their depth chart too.

Those numbers you quoted above are not the numbers of the regular season, and are only for the playoffs thus far ... 12 games, a very small sample size.

I have no beef with the idea that Seth Jones is moving up the depth chart, but you're making Ekblad sound like a donkey using a cherry picked set of numbers.

Ekblad's playoff advanced stats are as good or better than any D on the team ... His D zone starts % in the regular season, higher than any other Florida D.

2024-25 Florida Panthers Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[Oddbob]

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.

Bennett is going to be way overpaid for what he brings, and just like most that play the way he does will age poorly. Ekblad is also trending downwards in recent seasons, and Panther fans complain about him all the time. We would also be getting Ekblad for a lot of money long term at the point when most players start slowing down. He already has injury issues in his career and has missed a ton of time recently.

You need all kinds of players to be successful and we have no one close to what Marner has done so far in his career. Also overdone how bad he has been in the playoffs, when his stats are quite good at playoff time. Most players have worse ppgs at playoff time. It is a huge narrative to just blame Marner and Matthews, when they provided offence, while others on the team didn't do their jobs well. Goaltending was bad in the playoffs for them.

 

[Oddbob]

Haven’t we all been complaining how he wings are basically a bunch of wimps who get tossed around by everyone and have no fight and grit? Adding marner wont solve that.... think someone like marner would benefit playing on a team like Florida(not them specifically, no $)

I’d try and trade for a power forward who can score and be productive before marner.

We need to get tougher

What good player is that, who is also available? We don't need more middling forwards at the expense of adding an actual game changer. I would only want Bennett if he gets less than 7 years and doesn't get too much money, but he is also only a 40 pt player who is going to get paid a lot more than that.