NHL Analyst reveals the Red Wings' plan heading into July 1st free agency

The Detroit Red Wings are projected to have a total of $21 million in cap space for the 2025-2026 season.

That kind of cap flexibility should give GM Steve Yzerman the kind of confidence to make moves and sign the right kind of players in free agency.

The Red Wings, with a flush bank account, should utilize the means they have to reset the locker room. Of course, the rebuild will continue unabated, the question remains who to prioritize and who

Yzerman will have to figure out which UFAs to cut off in 2025. That includes players like Alex Lyon, Craig Smith, and Tyler Motte, who haven't made a big enough impact to warrant signing new deals with the team.

Smith arrived in Detroit after the team traded for him from Chicago for Joe Veleno. Jeff Petry, who is a Michigan-born player (Ann Arbor, MI), has been a disappointment, likely won't return after an injury-riddled season in 2025.

The Detroit Red Wings should target blue liners and players to upgrade the top-six.

One of those will be pending UFA Brad Marchand, who is currently on a cup hunt with the Florida Panthers. His $6.125 million deal ends at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 NHL season and could be a major upgrade in the lineup. This season, he's scored a total of 51 points (23 goals, 28 assists).

Nic Hague may not be known as an offensive defenseman, but he has been a key piece in the Vegas Golden Knights' lineup. He's played stellar defense down the stretch for the Knights during their toughest times, including the cup run in 2023.

Hague is currently an pending RFA and his $2.294 million AAV deal expires at the end of the 2024-202 NHL season.

Adding either Brad Marchand or Nic Hague could add some stability to the lineup while not breaking the Red Wings' bank.