In Part 1, I outlined where the Wings are currently at and identified three key priorities to address this offseason to prepare the team for a contention window of 2026-27 to 2031-32:
Always count on Prashanth for realistic deals with logical lines of reasoning behind them.
None of this silly Nate Danielson and a bag of pucks for Jason Robertson nonsense.
I really like the roster. I like that you also didn't just plug ASP in like some are quick to do. I don't think he starts in the NHL. He could fight his way in next season but if that's the case, I don't think it would be because the wings are in serious contention of a playoff spot.
Nate Schmidt is an interesting depth role that I hadn't considered.
Ehlers - I am thinking if the wings do sign him, it would be just under the Larkin contract - even considering the cap increase. So perhaps more likely that they get outbid. If they get him around larkin's number, that could account for all of Kane's performance bonuses as well.
I liked the line of thinking used for the Andersson deal and comps. If I had to guess, that probably won't be enough talent at C for CGY to take the deal. They may lean more towards a deal that has a slightly better player than picks in it.
You covered most of the bases.
One more possibility I think we could see is a move to acquire a slightly better goalie with term. The wings are "fine" with their goaltending situation. But there has been rumblings of them in the market still. Some term could bring assurance to backstop the Cossa timeline, though is not critical right now. Could still solve this a year from now.
For the Andersson deal- I would make this in a heartbeat, but could the framework for something like this be done prior to the draft and contingent upon the board? E.g., Calgary wouldn’t tip their hand at loving Roger McQueen or whomever but could a faller change the tenor positively for Detroit, and who would that player be for Calgary?
Conversely, I’m bullish on Eklund to Detroit but is there a potential faller to 13 that has you rethinking the deal?
Rambling question but there’s an astounding amount of scenarios that could play out to where I’m reluctant to trade 13 prior to the draft- especially if a couple teams reach on D early (something I think mocks are more likely to miss).
Awesome work Prashanth. I think a lot of red wings fans would be psyched if the roster looks similar to this. Love the Nate Schmidt addition. Dude is an underrated player
Yeah count me in. This is calculated yet aggressive. I hadn't even really thought of the Andersson angle on D. Big fan. I also appreciate not buying out Tarasenko but perhaps that's another freeing option should we somehow nab one of the big names like Marner.
That being said, it would obviously be awesome if we could land Marner, but I just don't see him coming here with likely half the league offering him whatever he wants. We just aren't a UFA destination right now, sadly.
Fantastic work! I'd love that Andersson trade. I'm a big fan of Connor Brown (kind of a Draper or Helm type). Ehlers is a bit of a gamble but I'll take that swing too. I'm not as sold on Schmidt what do I know. Excellent article!!! Thank you
You didn’t even buyout Tarasenko. Nice work. Personally I think the amount of good moves proposed here allows the Wings to shelter Nate Danielson in a 3rd line winger role. He’d get enough ice time to justify being in the NHL and be somewhat productive.
I was a big fan of Rasmus until I dug Into his analytics a bit more. He’s pretty Over rated considering the massive defensive deficiencies. Still a reasoned take overall, but I’d much rather go hard for a D and n the open market. Gavrikov locks down the left side of the top 4 for at least 5-7 years for example. Would rather short term solutions on the right side u til it’s clear what we have with ASP
Always count on Prashanth for realistic deals with logical lines of reasoning behind them.
None of this silly Nate Danielson and a bag of pucks for Jason Robertson nonsense.
I really like the roster. I like that you also didn't just plug ASP in like some are quick to do. I don't think he starts in the NHL. He could fight his way in next season but if that's the case, I don't think it would be because the wings are in serious contention of a playoff spot.
Nate Schmidt is an interesting depth role that I hadn't considered.
Ehlers - I am thinking if the wings do sign him, it would be just under the Larkin contract - even considering the cap increase. So perhaps more likely that they get outbid. If they get him around larkin's number, that could account for all of Kane's performance bonuses as well.
I liked the line of thinking used for the Andersson deal and comps. If I had to guess, that probably won't be enough talent at C for CGY to take the deal. They may lean more towards a deal that has a slightly better player than picks in it.
You covered most of the bases.
One more possibility I think we could see is a move to acquire a slightly better goalie with term. The wings are "fine" with their goaltending situation. But there has been rumblings of them in the market still. Some term could bring assurance to backstop the Cossa timeline, though is not critical right now. Could still solve this a year from now.
Great read!
This is hands down the best off-season plan I've seen so far.
These two posts are excellent, thanks for sharing.
I'd be delighted if they opened the season with your proposed roster including that dickhead Brown. Thanks P.
Great as always, Prashanth!
For the Andersson deal- I would make this in a heartbeat, but could the framework for something like this be done prior to the draft and contingent upon the board? E.g., Calgary wouldn’t tip their hand at loving Roger McQueen or whomever but could a faller change the tenor positively for Detroit, and who would that player be for Calgary?
Conversely, I’m bullish on Eklund to Detroit but is there a potential faller to 13 that has you rethinking the deal?
Rambling question but there’s an astounding amount of scenarios that could play out to where I’m reluctant to trade 13 prior to the draft- especially if a couple teams reach on D early (something I think mocks are more likely to miss).
Awesome work Prashanth. I think a lot of red wings fans would be psyched if the roster looks similar to this. Love the Nate Schmidt addition. Dude is an underrated player
Yeah count me in. This is calculated yet aggressive. I hadn't even really thought of the Andersson angle on D. Big fan. I also appreciate not buying out Tarasenko but perhaps that's another freeing option should we somehow nab one of the big names like Marner.
That being said, it would obviously be awesome if we could land Marner, but I just don't see him coming here with likely half the league offering him whatever he wants. We just aren't a UFA destination right now, sadly.
Fantastic work! I'd love that Andersson trade. I'm a big fan of Connor Brown (kind of a Draper or Helm type). Ehlers is a bit of a gamble but I'll take that swing too. I'm not as sold on Schmidt what do I know. Excellent article!!! Thank you
You didn’t even buyout Tarasenko. Nice work. Personally I think the amount of good moves proposed here allows the Wings to shelter Nate Danielson in a 3rd line winger role. He’d get enough ice time to justify being in the NHL and be somewhat productive.
I was a big fan of Rasmus until I dug Into his analytics a bit more. He’s pretty Over rated considering the massive defensive deficiencies. Still a reasoned take overall, but I’d much rather go hard for a D and n the open market. Gavrikov locks down the left side of the top 4 for at least 5-7 years for example. Would rather short term solutions on the right side u til it’s clear what we have with ASP
Now this is puck-racing!
How to sign Big Jilm...