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A very close friend of mine worked for one of the big 3 for many years. His specific duties saw him oversee dealerships and help them out. Of all the things I learned from this great man, one that stuck with me was, “if you buy a car with over 40,000 miles, someone else has had the best performance that guitar will ever see. Your ownership will be for the decline of that vehicle…. This was a tough earful as I’ve never, in my entire life, owned a new car. From my first hand me downs to purchases as an adult, used was the only way I could go. And, sure enough, the decline of the vehicle would pick up each year as it headed toward being paid off. The first years, though, were fantastic. The car would have been a huge upgrade to whatever poor vehicle I’d driven to death.
This sad reality is the way I’ve begun to approach free agency. In particular, Unrestricted Free Agency. As the average age of the league goes down, so does the average length of “serviceability… for an NHL player. For those who make it to UFA status at a time where they are still performing at a high level, it is an opportunity to provide life long security for them and their family. They’ve earned the right to hold out for top dollar, and most want long term as well. The understanding will be that the contract will be an albatross at the end of the road. Both team and player hope that the early term will bring enough benefit that the pain is minimized. And so, thirty may well be the “40,000 mile mark… for the NHL player. Every year past 30 could see a steeper decline and higher rate of injury. Being in my 40s, it’s not pleasant thinking about relatively young adults in this way. The modern athlete is a machine. The performance they achieve puts past stats to shame and there is no break. A slip in diet or training could end a career. It’s a lot of pressure.
And so, with this is mind, I pulled up the list of pending Free Agent Defenesemen (see link above). I’m honing in, specifically, on the top 25 by salary. There are some that will not be available and some that wouldn’t benefit Detroit. I.E. - Pietrangelo will not likely hit the market. Mike Green is probably best served in a depth role on a contending team should he continue to play. And so, here are some interesting names. Would you sign them, and for how much?
Tyson Barrie - his stock fell significantly this past year in Toronto. I, personally, would probably pass. The 28 year old will try and maximize dollars and term.
Justin Schultz - when Justin became a free agent after college, I’d hoped to see him in Detroit. He chose Edmonton and was buried by lofty expectations and poor management. His trade to Pittsburgh saw him develop impressively and has 2 Stanley Cup Rings. However, is the success more a result of being part of a team with high level talent up front and really good goal tending? At 29, Schultz may well want a 6 year + deal and high dollars. Not sure if the fit is there, but shorter term and less dollars may make him an attractive option
Torey Krug - until recently, I was certain Krug would never hit the market. If the salary cap stagnates or goes down, it may become a reality. Torey is an on ice leader. At 29 he’s right on the cusp of the dreaded 30s, and will want a significant pay rise. If he can’t make it work in Boston, I would certainly take a look at this one.
Sami Vatanen (29) and Cody Ceci (26) could both hit the market. I’m not certain either would be the best fit in Detroit. Ceci has been a bit of a media and fan punching bag in Toronto. Vatanen still plays more than 21 mins per night, but I’m not sure you’re going to get more out of him than even Seider in the next couple years. Certainly not enough to justify UFA$ and term.
Dimitry Kulikov (29) - could be a cap casualty in Winnipeg. Currently making 4.3 million and playing 20 mins per night. If the market doesn’t offer what he’s hoping for, a 2 year contract at reduced dollars (a la Nemeth) may not be a horrible fit.
Travis Hamonic (29) - currently makes 3.857 mil and logs over 21 mins per night. This is a defenseman that interested me in the past. He dealt with some injury troubles this year. Again, if he takes a short term/low dollar deal due to the market, may be an interesting fit
Brenden Dillon (29) - currently with Washington, this defensive d man was well liked by his San Jose teammates. Karlsson and Burns used to both try and barter for him as a linemate. This may be the type of defender that could help Detroit’s culture. We need help in our own zone, and Dillon could certainly provide that. Currently making just under 3.3 mil
Joel Edmunson (27) - currently making 3.1 million in Carolina. Joel has been on a “winning… team and could bring leadership into the room and on the ice. I like the age (just a little older than Mantha) and think this could be a good fit if the dollars and term are right.
I skipped over several names that were RFA or over 30. On this list, of course Krug would be my favorite but it would come at a high cost IF he hits the market. Edmunson or Dillon could make sense for the team if the price is right. What are your own thoughts? Should Yzerman add a free agent to help develop the teams Defensive group? Let me know in the comments.