Insider reveals the Detroit Red Wings' bold plan for this off-season

The Detroit Red Wings have $21.3 million in salary cap space. That should be enough to work with to finally end the team's nine-year playoff drought, shouldn't it?

The team has been plagued by mediocre signings these past few seasons, save for Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane.

Don't get us wrong, when it comes to drafting, Steve Yzerman is one of the best, especially in the first round. As we've seen, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider make the team.

With plenty of draft capital and money available, he'll have to do more than just hit at the draft this season.

His free agency will have to be without blunders, as the way the roster is currently constructed has hampered the rebuild significantly.

With Jeff Petry as a notable UFA, the Red Wings should let him walk and utilize the cap space to find someone who could bolster the blue line. As we've said, after Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, it's a real big drop off.

The Detroit Red Wings will have to figure out who will be the best fit in a top-six that could use some help.

The Red Wings have been overpaying middle-tier talent like Andrew Copp, JT Compher, Justin Holl, and Vladimir Tarasenko for far too many seasons combined. Ironically, they were overpaid when hunting for a new deal in free agency.

Instead of spending like a drunken sailor, Yzerman could put his draft picks to use and find top-tier talent in the NHL, as there's plenty of top-six talent to be had if you're willing to spend.