Eklund: Wild "Open for Business" as Draft Approaches

What a time for them to sell low.

So what exactly was the net gain from buying out Suter and Parise? They were still hit with almost the same cap hit these last few years and also had to replace those two players (not to mention almost $1.7M in dead cap for four years starting in 2025).

Good thing they moved out those evil locker room cancers in Suter and Parise. Imagine if they still had them on the roster. They probably wouldn't have even made the playoffs this season...What a great decision by Guerin. He sure earns his paycheck with those types of decisions. I hope he has a backup for Cap Friendly going down to calculate the dead cap hit going forward.

So what exactly was the net gain from buying out Suter and Parise? They were still hit with almost the same cap hit these last few years and also had to replace those two players (not to mention almost $1.7M in dead cap for four years starting in 2025).
- Chunk

There was no gain. Sometimes there are only bad choices. Both were vastly overpaid. No one could stand Suter. Parise was pouting because he wasn’t top 6.

Kaprizov, Faber, Erickson-Ek and Boldy are the only keepers.

Kaprizov, Faber, Erickson-Ek and Boldy for Hudson Fasching and a conditional 4th round pick in 2028

Kaprizov, Faber, Erickson-Ek and Boldy for Hudson Fasching and a conditional 4th round pick in 2028
- eichiefs9

You’ve been talking with Ek. Fasching wants to go home.

Eklund: Wild "Open for Business" as Draft Approaches
- Eklund

Aren’t all teams open for business???

So what you are saying is Minny is interested in selling all of their pending UFAs? I mean, this roster isn't really a contender. So it does make sense they would be open to moving guys out as rentals, either now, but more likely at the trade deadline.

Can probably write a whole series of posts like this. Sources say the Red Wings are open for business and have pending UFAs like Robby Fabbri, Olli Maatta, Jeff Petry, Ville Husso who are all available now, or later this year.

So what you are saying is Minny is interested in selling all of their pending UFAs? I mean, this roster isn't really a contender. So it does make sense they would be open to moving guys out as rentals, either now, but more likely at the trade deadline.

Can probably write a whole series of posts like this. Sources say the Red Wings are open for business and have pending UFAs like Robby Fabbri, Olli Maatta, Jeff Petry, Ville Husso who are all available now, or later this year.
- Cooleus

At least Detroit is on the upswing. Minnesota is about the most mediocre franchise that ever existed. Never good enough to tank, and never good enough to compete.

At least Detroit is on the upswing. Minnesota is about the most mediocre franchise that ever existed. Never good enough to tank, and never good enough to compete.
- jfkst1

Cmon man. We’re heads above the Thrashers.

You’ve been talking with Ek. Fasching wants to go home.
- Minnyhock

At least Detroit is on the upswing. Minnesota is about the most mediocre franchise that ever existed. Never good enough to tank, and never good enough to compete.
- jfkst1

Counterpoint: Minnesota has one piece that's better than anyone who plays for Detroit, has one one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL about ready to make the jump, looks to have an elite or near elite guy on the back end who is just about to hit his prime and will have a tidy 13 million dollars more in cap to play with after this season. With all of that and given that Minnesota has been actually good enough to make the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons and Detroit hasn't I suspect the long term outlook is better in St Paul. Though Guerin would be wise to dump that cipher of a head coach that he hired, unlikely as that may be.

Counterpoint: Minnesota has one piece that's better than anyone who plays for Detroit, has one one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL about ready to make the jump, looks to have an elite or near elite guy on the back end who is just about to hit his prime and will have a tidy 13 million dollars more in cap to play with after this season. With all of that and given that Minnesota has been actually good enough to make the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons and Detroit hasn't I suspect the long term outlook is better in St Paul. Though Guerin would be wise to dump that cipher of a head coach that he hired, unlikely as that may be.
- FoppaForever

Will add to this. As a Detroit fan, they are probably losing Kane who had 47 points in 50 games and made the PP a threat. He was responsible for a decent amount of offense, 3-on-3 OT goals, shootout goals, etc...

The PP may also lose Gostisbehere, who has some defensive issues, but put up 56 points, including 29 running that PP. Both were on value contracts.

Cap space looks like a lot, but once Seider and Raymond sign extensions, the Wings don't have as much flexibility as it seems. Would also note that even though they came within a whisker of making the playoffs, they still only had 91 points, which typically isn't close to a playoff spot. They will probably take a step backwards until they develop or acquire higher end skill. Centre depth after Larkin is garbage.

Counterpoint: Minnesota has one piece that's better than anyone who plays for Detroit, has one one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL about ready to make the jump, looks to have an elite or near elite guy on the back end who is just about to hit his prime and will have a tidy 13 million dollars more in cap to play with after this season. With all of that and given that Minnesota has been actually good enough to make the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons and Detroit hasn't I suspect the long term outlook is better in St Paul. Though Guerin would be wise to dump that cipher of a head coach that he hired, unlikely as that may be.
- FoppaForever

I'd take Seider over Kaprizov and I expect most GMs would. Four years younger and a RD is more valuable than a winger. I certainly hope you aren't considering Gustavsson a "top goalie prospects in the NHL." He's 26 and was mediocre at best this season.

Yes! Rumour charts! I always click on the chart to see the free player revealed. Today it's Stamkos. Joining the Leafs was recently a 50/50 call, but Leafs are down to 30% because there is a 20% chance Stamkos signs with Montreal. That would be amazing! Surprised that staying in Tampa is only 10%. End of an Era.

I can’t believe you missed adding up the percentages for all of Stamkos’ potential destinations. You aren’t who I thought you were.

I'd take Seider over Kaprizov and I expect most GMs would. Four years younger and a RD is more valuable than a winger. I certainly hope you aren't considering Gustavsson a "top goalie prospects in the NHL." He's 26 and was mediocre at best this season.
- jfkst1

If you follow enough hockey, the top prospect goaltender is clearly Wallstedt.

I'd take Seider over Kaprizov and I expect most GMs would. Four years younger and a RD is more valuable than a winger. I certainly hope you aren't considering Gustavsson a "top goalie prospects in the NHL." He's 26 and was mediocre at best this season.
- jfkst1

No, I'm talking about Jesper Wallstedt. An elite RD is likely considered by most GM's to be more valuable than an elite wing but Seider seems to be stalled taking that jump to elite. Kaprizov is an elite wing.

If you follow enough hockey, the top prospect goaltender is clearly Wallstedt.
- Glak18

If you follow enough hockey, goalie prospects have even more outcome variance and longer development than any other position. So counting on him being some competitive advantage going forward is very optimistic.

Will add to this. As a Detroit fan, they are probably losing Kane who had 47 points in 50 games and made the PP a threat. He was responsible for a decent amount of offense, 3-on-3 OT goals, shootout goals, etc...

The PP may also lose Gostisbehere, who has some defensive issues, but put up 56 points, including 29 running that PP. Both were on value contracts.

Cap space looks like a lot, but once Seider and Raymond sign extensions, the Wings don't have as much flexibility as it seems. Would also note that even though they came within a whisker of making the playoffs, they still only had 91 points, which typically isn't close to a playoff spot. They will probably take a step backwards until they develop or acquire higher end skill. Centre depth after Larkin is garbage.
- Cooleus

You can call Larkin a 1C but I think it’s borderline. By the time they’re contenders he’ll
be a 2C or lower.

If you follow enough hockey, goalie prospects have even more outcome variance and longer development than any other position. So counting on him being some competitive advantage going forward is very optimistic.
- jfkst1

I didn't assume Gustavsson was the goaltender he was speaking of...no one and I mean NO ONE would of thought that. Ever.

The same could be said about Vasilevskiy, Shesterkin, Oettinger and many others, but I guess since there has been flops that's the end of calling anyone a top prospect.

The dead PUCK era is back Everybody wants to spend more money to get less production That sounds like the inflation we are going thru as a society These playoffs are like watching soccer on ICE BORING BORING BORING Ratings are going to be in the pits

I didn't assume Gustavsson was the goaltender he was speaking of...no one and I mean NO ONE would of thought that. Ever.

The same could be said about Vasilevskiy, Shesterkin, Oettinger and many others, but I guess since there has been flops that's the end of calling anyone a top prospect.
- Glak18

Correct. It would be brain-dead optimistic lunacy for an organization to claim every promising goalie prospect could be relied upon to perform well at the NHL in the near future. They have much more variance in both outcomes and development than skaters.