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Following a somewhat productive NHL Entry Draft for the Detroit Red Wings with the additions of several prospects including centers Dylan Larkin of the University of Michigan and Dominic Turgeon (son of Pierre) of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks, management's full attention now surrounds free agency, which kicks off on Tuesday.
It appears Detroit's top two targets are rearguards Dan Boyle and recently bought out Christian Ehrhoff. The Free Press' Helene St. James provided some possible figures for each target and confirms the likelihood that Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen likely is too expensive for the Red Wings' liking:
Boyle tops the list because he shoots right, but the Wings could double-dip in the market thanks to Buffalo's decision to buy out Christian Ehrhoff, an offensive defenseman who turns 32 on Sunday.The Wings will be offering Boyle, who turns 38 in July, a two-year contract in the $11 million range. That's a lot to pay, but this is a weak market for UFA defensemen, and Detroit will be up against at least a handful of other bidders (Niskanen is going to be pursued by at least a dozen teams, and someone willl give him seven years and money into the mid-$40 million). Ehrhoff is probably going to command $4.5-5.5 million, and term of 3-4 years, at least.
Bottom line, the time is now for Detroit to make a run. The tandem of Datsyuk and Zetterberg is running out of time. The addition of BOTH rearguards, which could take place if someone like Jakub Kindl and his $2.4 million cap hit was moved out and Daniel Alfredsson was not brought back, would make Detroit one of the top contenders to make it out of the Eastern Conference.
I think this would classify as strengthening the defense:
Kronwall-Ericsson Ehrhoff-Boyle DeKeyser-Smith
Marchenko, Sproul, Ouellet and Backman all ready to jump into the lineup if injuries arise.
Realistically, even if Detroit is only able to secure one of the UFA blueliners targeted, it would leave Detroit in a strong position. Furthermore, the Tyler Myers trade rumors persist, with the Red Wings mentioned as a lead candidate. The 24 year-old right-handed shooting defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million. As enticing as bringing in a 6 foot 8 inch blueliner to the fold might be, the cost of acquiring a division rival's player might be excessive for Ken Holland & Co.
Earlier today, the Red Wings qualified RFA forwards Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Landon Ferraro, Mitch Callahan and Andrej Nestrasil, along with defensemen Danny DeKeyser and Adam Almquist.
The club did not qualify forwards Cory Emmerton, Trevor Parkes, Willie Coetzee and defensemen Gleason Fournier and Max Nicastro, relinquishing their rights.
In addition, the Red Wings will sign goaltender Tom McCollum to a one-year, two-way NHL contract to continue to split duties in Grand Rapids.
Let the mayhem begin!
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mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com