Major development in the Detroit Red Wings' potential acquisition of Mitch Marner
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What are the chances that Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will become more aggressive this offseason and make a pitch to sign Leafs forward Mitch Marner?
Unless something major changes in the next few weeks, the Detroit Red Wings are going to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a franchise-record 10th straight year.
Considering that the Red Wings are not far off from their centennial year and went through multiple downswings, most notably the "Dead Wings" era of the 1970s that still yielded the random playoff appearance, the thought of going a full decade of no postseason is almost unthinkable.
As fan patience with the ultra-conservative approach of GM Steve Yzerman continues to dwindle, he could soon be feeling pressure from his higher-ups that he needs to get more aggressive and put the Red Wings firmly into a position to comfortably qualify for the playoffs next year.
Multiple notable free agents will be hitting the market on July 1 - what are the chances that the Red Wings could target players like Mitch Marner or Brock Boeser?
Max Bultman looked at what the Detroit Red Wings' recent losing skid says about their offseason needs.
The Red Wings could use a difference-maker among their top-six scorers. Some could be available in this summer's free-agent market. They include Toronto's Mitch Marner, Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers, Vancouver's Brock Boeser and Florida's Brad Marchand. They could also go shopping for one via the trade market.
Bultman also believes the Wings need stability in goal and depth on defense. Possible UFA options include Washington's Jakob Chychrun and Los Angeles' Vladislav Gavrikov. He also suggested restricted free agents like Vegas' Nicolas Hague and the New York Rangers' K'Andre Miller.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: The Red Wings are poised to extend their postseason drought to nine seasons, with the last six under general manager Steve Yzerman. He could start feeling the pressure to make moves to improve the roster.
This summer could be the most crucial of Yzerman's tenure as GM. The Wings have a projected cap space of $21 million next season with 18 roster players under contract. He can draw on his prospect pool and draft picks as trade bait.
The Red Wings could use a difference-maker among their top-six scorers. Some could be available in this summer's free-agent market. They include Toronto's Mitch Marner, Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers, Vancouver's Brock Boeser and Florida's Brad Marchand. They could also go shopping for one via the trade market.
Bultman also believes the Wings need stability in goal and depth on defense. Possible UFA options include Washington's Jakob Chychrun and Los Angeles' Vladislav Gavrikov. He also suggested restricted free agents like Vegas' Nicolas Hague and the New York Rangers' K'Andre Miller.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: The Red Wings are poised to extend their postseason drought to nine seasons, with the last six under general manager Steve Yzerman. He could start feeling the pressure to make moves to improve the roster.
This summer could be the most crucial of Yzerman's tenure as GM. The Wings have a projected cap space of $21 million next season with 18 roster players under contract. He can draw on his prospect pool and draft picks as trade bait.
Marner and/or Boeser would be immediate upgrades on 90% of the Red Wings forwards that they currently ice. Additionally, Jakob Chychrun and Nicolas Hague would also be major upgrades on 90% of Detroit's current defensive pairings.
| POLL | ||
MARS 24 | 209 ANSWERS Major development in the Detroit Red Wings' potential acquisition of Mitch Marner Who should Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman target in the summer? | ||
| Mitch Marner | 124 | 59.3 % |
| Brock Boeser | 28 | 13.4 % |
| Jakub Chychrun | 33 | 15.8 % |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 24 | 11.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
