Detroit Red Wings GM Steve
Yzerman made several moves during the off-season to bolster his
roster for the coming season.
Yzerman’s most notable deal was
acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. He also shed
the remaining year of Vladimir Tarasenko’s contract, shipping him and
his $4.75 million average annual value to the Minnesota Wild.
The Wings GM also re-signed right winger
Patrick Kane and turned to the UFA market for veteran depth, signing
James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, Mason Appleton, Ian Mitchell and
Jacob Bernard-Docker.
However, a significant move to add a top-four
defenseman or a top-six forward failed to materialize.
Max Bultman of The Athletic was asked
if Yzerman might address one or both needs before the regular season
begins. He suggested that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik
Karlsson and a Penguins winger, such as Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell, might be the best options.
Karlsson, Rust and Rakell regularly
surfaced in this summer’s trade rumors. However, Bultman’s not
expecting any of them to don the Winged Wheel jersey, citing
Karlsson’s expensive contract and the Penguins’ asking price of a
first-round pick for Rust or Rakell.
Earlier this summer, the Red Wings were
linked to Ducks center Mason McTavish in the rumor mill. Some
observers suggested the close ties between Yzerman and Ducks GM Pat
Verbeek could make Detroit a landing spot for the 22-year-old RFA
center, but Bultman doubted Verbeek would part with McTavish.
Bultman also suggested that the Wings
monitor high-scoring winger Kyle Connor’s contract status with the
Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Michigan native is UFA-eligible next
summer. Bultman doubted the Jets would move him this early in the
season if he remains unsigned, but suggested the Wings should be
ready to inquire just in case.
Turning to the Chicago Blackhawks,
Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report noted they still haven’t
signed RFA defenseman Wyatt Kaiser.
Seravalli indicated that the Blackhawks
have nine or 10 young NHL-ready defensemen on their blueline. They
could end up shopping one of them, but he doesn’t anticipate Kaiser
will be a trade candidate.
Four of the Blackhawks’ young
rearguards – Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Sam Linzel and Nolan Allen – are waiver-exempt, so they could demote one or two if
necessary. They could also attempt to trade Connor Murphy, who is
UFA-eligible next July, though that move would take away their most
experienced blueliner.
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