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After a quick glance at possible Free Agents for Detroit, we’re moving on to expiring contracts. As it stands, Detroit has just 11 NHL players and 27 total contracts on the books for next year. The current cap hit would be 46 million. Cap Friendly estimates next year’s cap at 84 mil, I think that will prove to be too high after this year’s shut down. I’m going to assume that the cap will be around 81 million after a vote by players and owners to freeze last year’s number. It could be less, but I don’t think it will be. Even at the current hit, Owners may be seeking “compliance buyouts… to adjust for the lack of an increase. That would create some interesting scenarios, to be certain.
And so, here are the candidates to be extended or exited.
Anthony Mantha (25 RFA w/arbitration) Sign - injuries played another role in shortening what started as a promising season for the big winger. Still, big Mo put up 16 goals and 22 assists (38) in 43 games. With a pace at close to a point per game and potentially 30+ goals, Mantha is still an important piece to Detroit. He will want a substantial raise from his current 3.3 million. If Detroit can get him close to Larkin’s 6.1M for 6 yr deal it would feel like a good one. However, it could easily creep closer to 7+. He is an RFA with arbitration rights, though I doubt the team wants to let it get that far.
Sam Gagner (30, UFA) Sign - in 6 games with Detroit, Gagner has just 1 goal and no assists. However, his presence on the ice has brought creativity and energy to this group. When Athanasiou left for Edmonton, Gagner seemed like a warm body coming back. However, he is making an impact for the team that desperately needs leadership and creativity. He currently makes 2.85 M, wouldn’t mind a short term deal in the 2M neighborhood. For what it’s worth, in 9 games for Edmonton A.A. only has 1 goal and 1 assist. Per NHL.com)
Tyler Bertuzzi (25, RFA w/Arbitration) Sign - Detroit’s lone representative at the all star game, Bertuzzi was an every day workhorse for the Red Wings. At 21 goals and 27 assists in 71 games, Bert was a bright spot in a brutal season. Before this year, I would have looked at 5.5 at 6 (based on Larkin) but he could well pull even with Larkin in dollars and term at 6.1 X 6.
Adam Erne (24, RFA w/arbitration) - release or tryout - 2 goals and 3 assists in 56 games doesn’t move the needle much for this Yzerman acquisition. He’s a big body that can make life difficult for other players, but I’m not certain he can’t easily be replaced by Givani Smith in a full time role with the big club next year. I’m not opposed to a PTO, but wouldn’t rush to sign or qualify. He did put up more goals than Abdelkader....
Robby Fabbri (24, RFA w/arbitration) Sign - the best single acquisition in Steve Yzerman’s short tenure outside of Moritz Seider. Fabbri came in as a reclamation project and quickly made his presence known. Instant chemistry with former teammate Bertuzzi helped greatly, but Fabbri has proven to be his own man on the ice. In 52 games with Detroit he had 14 goals and 17 assists. More than that, he was an outstanding competitor. The trick, though, is term and dollars. Would he and the team be best served with a 2yr 3-4 mil prove it deal? Regardless, this is a player that fits the mold of what the group needs.
Brendan Perlini (23, RFA with arbitration) - tryout - brought in under the same circumstances as Fabbri, things did not go well for Brendan Perlini. Another first round pick that had lost his way, in 39 games with Detroit the former junior teammate of Larkin only managed 1 goal and 3 assists. There were chances, but finishing and confidence are missing from this once highly touted prospect. Rather than cast aside, I’d be fine with a PTO. A summer of conditioning and full training camp may help Perlini find his game again. If not, he can be released. Training camp injuries inevitably open up spots that may not be best served by young players who need to adjust to becoming pro.
Christopher Ehn (23, RFA with arbitration) trade or tryout - in his second pro season, Ehn only put up 2 goals and 2 assists. In the prior season, it was Ehn’s pre season that earned him a spot with the club. He is a bottom 6 forward with limited offense at this point, and Detroit has plenty of those. Understanding that the team will need bodies (and Ehn is still quite young) you could qualify his RFA# and waive him to Grand Rapids if it doesn’t work out. However, former GM Holland will be looking for low cost depth players again and may part with a 6th round pick.
Dimytro Tymashov (23, RFA with arbitration) - sign - in 5 games with Detroit, Tymashov didn’t put up any goals or assists. He only had 5 goals and 4 assists in 39 games with Toronto. However, he plays bigger than his 5’11… frame, and has some good speed. The eye test indicates that this is a player who could be a contributing bottom 6 player. Detroit desperately needs secondary scoring, and I’ve been impressed with this kid’s on ice efforts.
Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley (36, UFA) - release/retire - it may seem heartless to lump these two veteran defensemen together, but the stories are similar. Both have a lot of hard miles, and Big E needs surgery. I don’t see a reason to bring these two D men back into the fold for this rebuild. Both are fantastic guys to be around, and I…m not trying to minimize their careers and life paths. It just seems to be a good time to part ways.
Madison Bowey (24, RFA with arbitration) - release - on paper, Bowey was the quintessential right handed D that everyone in the league wanted when he was drafted. Good size, can skate, offensive upside. He’s even shown glimpses of that with Detroit, but not nearly enough. The defensive core is plagued with poor, well, defense. There needs to be much more solid pairings of players that can shut it down with players who can score. It just doesn’t feel like Bowey is going to flourish in this situation. If he became a depth player for Boston or St Louis, he could find his game. Detroit just doesn’t have a defender capable of helping to correct the on ice defensive issues.
Cody Goloubef (30, UFA) - release - Detroit’s defense was not an easy situation for anyone. Cody would probably find himself battling for 5/6/or7. The club may still choose to have him at camp at expose him to waivers as a potential call up in case of injury.
Jimmy Howard (35, UFA) - release - Howard took a 1 year deal hoping to extend his career in Detroit. With a goals against of 4.2 and SV% of .882 the record of 2-23-0 is still shocking. The team is getting much more consistent play from Bernier and could look to promote a young tender like Petruzzeli or Larsson. They could also explore trades or free agency. At this point, this group needs much better performances in net. I’ve often wondered if Jimmy would go to Buffalo as a free agent, time will tell.
That’s it for the big club. In the next article we will examine the minor league free agents and where they may fit in. Please comment and let me know your own thoughts. As a human being, this is not a fun article to write. The livelihood of a professional athlete is ended overnight with no warning far too often. I don’t want anyone to lose their way of living, and stats don’t tell you what kind of a person each player is. This is simply my own thoughts on what Yzerman can do to try and start moving forward with this young group.