NHL insider names three off-season targets for the Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings slighly missed the playoffs once again this season and are now heading into an off-season with several players pending new contracts.
Rob Couch has recently discussed three potential names that general manager Steve Yzerman could look into acquiring to bolster the Red Wings' lineup.
Goaltender has already been addressed and the team has seemed to found their starting goaltender in Cam Talbot, who has carried the team as of late.
But that still leaves gaps in the lineup offensively and defensively.
The Detroit Red Wings have some of the NHL's best prospects and youth on the back end, including Axel Sandin Pellikka who just signed his entry-level contract on Wednesday, Simon Edvinsson, Mortiz Seider and Albert Johansson, but they are in need of high-quality experienced teammates to lead them into proper development.
Justin Holl, Jeff Petry and Ben Chiarot will surely not lead them on the right path, but Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk, who can withstand a large workload.
Gourde was once with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Steve Yzerman was managing the organization at the time. A hard-nosed Stanley Cup Champion could certainly give the Red Wings the late-season performance they have lacked from their stars such as Dylan Larkin.
Couch notes that the New York Islanders veteran could certainly fill the void of veteran leadership that will be missing if Patrick Kane decided to hit the open market.
"The future of Patrick Kane is up in the air. He clearly wants to win and he might see it as he gave Detroit a try without playoffs either of the years. Assuming that is the case, the Red Wings will have to look elsewhere. Kyle Palmieri should be one of the players heavily considered. He is a veteran, but he won't have to be signed for more than four years at a fair price and he has 24 goals on the season. That would sit him fourth on Detroit. This team needs some of everything and goals are amongst the most important."
Said couchAfter a lackluster season for Steve Yzerman's Red Wings, it is now on him to replenish his faith by making the proper moves moving forward.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 16 | 244 ANSWERS NHL insider names three off-season targets for the Detroit Red Wings Out of these 3 off-season targets for the Detroit Red Wings, which would you rather see them acquiring? | ||
| Gourde | 57 | 23.4 % |
| Pionk | 69 | 28.3 % |
| Palmieri | 27 | 11.1 % |
| None | 91 | 37.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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