Detroit Red Wings 2024 Offseason Review

The Detroit Red Wings narrowly missed the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tying with the Washington Capitals in points but falling short in regulation wins.

Despite this, it was promising to see Detroit competing closely with playoff contenders. The team has been enduring an eight-year playoff drought and is relying on Steve Yzerman’s long-term strategy, known as the “Yzerplan”, to restore their former success. However, even after a summer of significant changes and their first 90-point season in nine years, they are still not seen as strong playoff contenders.

Draft Selections:
– F Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
– F Max Plante
– F Ondrej Becher
– G Landon Miller
– D John Whipple
– X Charlie Forslund
– F Austin Baker
– X Fisher Scott

Yzerman kicked off the summer by selecting Michael Brandsegg-Nygård from Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan league. Brandsegg-Nygård scored 18 points in 41 games for Mora IK and represented Norway internationally. He’s known for his reliable two-way play and ability to force turnovers. His NHL potential seems solid despite not having the highest upside compared to others drafted around him.

Detroit hopes that Brandsegg-Nygård will elevate a draft class that otherwise appears lackluster. In rounds two and three, they picked Max Plante and Ondrej Becher, who both show promise but lack explosiveness. Plante is intelligent but undersized, while Becher is a hefty role specialist .

Fans might think these new picks could bring some excitement back to the team.

New Additions:

The Red Wings made several free-agent signings:
– Jakub Rychlovsky (two years)
– Patrick Kane (one year extension)
– Christian Fischer (one year)
– Vladimir Tarasenko (two years)
– Tyler Motte (one year)
– Joe Snively (one year)
– Sheldon Dries (two years)
– Erik Gustafsson (two years)
– Tory Dello (one year)
– Cam Talbot (two years)
– Jack Campbell (one year)

They embraced change by signing multiple NHL veterans to fill gaps in their lineup. Re-signing Patrick Kane was crucial; he scored 47 points in 50 games last season but had defensive lapses that Vladimir Tarasenko might help cover up. Both players bring valuable playoff experience which can be crucial for Detroit’s push towards ending their playoff drought.

However, Cam Talbot joining Ville Husso and Alex Lyon creates a crowded goalie room with no clear starter yet. Talbot performed well for Los Angeles last season but will face stiff competition during training camp.

Trade Moves:

Detroit traded Robby Fabbri and a fourth-round pick for Gage Alexander from Anaheim. Alexander has struggled professionally but shows potential as an athletic skater needing development time with Grand Rapids Griffins.

RFA Re-signings:
Joe Veleno signed a two-year deal worth $4.6M after proving himself as a reliable third-line center last season with 12 goals and 28 points over 80 games.

Departures:

Several players left including Theodor Niederbach, Daniel Sprong, David Perron among others due to trades or free agency moves like Jake Walman being traded pre-draft as part of cap management efforts by Yzerman which was necessary albeit difficult considering Walman’s contributions last season along with Shayne Gostisbehere also moving on leaving gaps defensively now filled by new prospects such as Simon Edvinsson expectedly stepping up into bigger roles going forward hopefully bridging those losses effectively over time if all goes well ideally speaking anyhow fingers crossed right?

Salary Cap Outlook:
Entering September Detroit has $17.65M available per PuckPedia though RFAs’ contracts will reduce this quickly making it challenging maintaining comfortable cap space throughout regular season until Raymond & Seider finalize deals determining extent remaining flexibility ultimately affecting overall financial health moving ahead cautiously optimistic yet mindful constraints involved realistically speaking here too naturally enough wouldn’t you agree perhaps?

Key Questions:

Is Cam Talbot the starter? With four goalies vying for ice time including emerging talent Sebastian Cossa fans wonder who’ll secure main role impacting whether playoffs become reality finally breaking prolonged drought eagerly anticipated indeed!

Which prospects will emerge? Top prospects like Nate Danielson & Shai Buium have opportunities during training camp potentially earning NHL spots adding much-needed excitement compared veteran options filling fringe roles instead ideally though uncertain outcomes remain until proven otherwise obviously so what do you think about these changes?

What are your thoughts on all these moves?