Detroit Red Wings forced to complete 3-player move by 5:00 deadline today

It's decision day in Detroit. With the NHL's deadline for qualifying offers hitting at 5 p.m., Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings have some important choices to make on restricted free agents Elmer Söderblom, Albert Johansson, and Jonathan Berggren. If they don't extend offers by tonight, all three will hit the open market as unrestricted free agents, free to sign anywhere.

Söderblom is perhaps the biggest question mark-literally. At 6-foot-8, he's an interesting blend of size and skill, but has struggled to find consistency and stay healthy since coming over to North America. The Wings have invested time in his development, so it would be surprising to see them give up on him so soon.

Johansson is a mobile defenseman who's been showing a lot of promise in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Letting him walk would feel like a waste after the patience the organization has shown.

Then there's Berggren, arguably the most NHL-ready of the three. At just 23, he's already produced decent numbers in the league and flashed the creativity and vision that Detroit sorely needs. Trade rumors swirled around him last season, but the safe bet is that the Wings will want to keep him under contract.

Detroit's general manager Steve Yzerman has made it clear he's building patiently, with young talent and prospects. Letting players like these walk for nothing doesn't exactly fit that plan. By tonight, we'll see just how committed the Red Wings are to these three players.

Stay tuned for further details about Söderblom, Johansson, and Berggren as we get closer to the 5 p.m. deadline.