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*there is fact and there is opinion. What I type is a combination. I look at numbers, try to remember performances and then give my opinion. With a handful of UFAs heading out I’m contemplating futures. Please keep in mind, these are human beings. As such, I want the very best for them in every sense. It’s hard to separate that into dollars and stats but it’s the reality of sports. You will probably disagree with at least one if not all of my assessments. Please put your thoughts in the comments section. This only works with your support.
Over the last 30 years I’ve come to an understanding of the different “fan groups” that Detroit (and hockey in general) have. First, there’s the “championship” fans. When I worked in sales, inevitably someone would ask me abut whether or not Detroit would “get it done” this year. It was always around September, and the gambling odds were very favorable before the preseason.
I’ve seen it with Detroit, and now we’ve seen it with Chicago. When a team goes from “reload” to rebuild, those are the first fans to check out. They don’t watch much except for playoff games. Chicago went from selling over capacity (do they not have a fire Marshall) the same as Detroit used to sell standing room only tix. Those look like they suck.
The second group are the “groupies”. The team fans that get addicted to every player and every piece of the organization. When they get a “meet and greet” they almost pass out. I met one at a hotel near Petoskey. Every Red Wing he could find, he would have autograph on his arm. Then he’d go to the tattoo parlor and have the autograph made permanent. He had at least a dozen up his right arm.
This is a group that the league relies heavily on. They’ll buy swag and tickets regardless of how the team is doing. They just want the Winged Wheel on everything (or whatever logo applies). There’s a guy on my street who, any time Toronto wins an important game, he flies a maple leaf flag on his Jeep and drives all around.
The third group loves hockey. This is a tough group to get into and stay in. Debates with advanced stats, people who try and mathematically prove or disprove someone’s worth and inject as many numbers as they can. When I first started this blog (743 blogs ago) I was solidly a group 2 fan. Some debates and the time have helped me be a bit of a hybrid of 2 and 3. I love the team, I just do. However, I’m also painfully aware that a lot stands in the way of Detroit becoming a contender. That’s where we come to the subject du jour. Free agents.
There are fans so addicted to home grown talent that they get overvalued. We are seeing fewer and fewer players from the Holland era. It also feels like those players are for the most part depth players. In other words, they’re not going to have a ton to negotiate with. I’m going to look at free agents (RFA and UFA) and thoughts on to re sign, qualify, or let them walk. This is going to cause some hurt feelings, and I apologize in advance.
Detroit’s cap friendly page is where the majority of the references will come from today.
Detroit’s draft history is also handy to have.
UFAs:
Pius Suter - one well known blogger had Suter as a be all/end all acquisition. Suter’s first season was a full 82 games and he scored 15 goals and 21 assists. Last year in 79 games he scored 14 goals and had 10 assists. At 3.25 million, this doesn’t seem like great value for the 26 year old. However, he could be a depth player but at a lower number. The cap is going to dictate a lot of decisions. My thoughts are to keep at a lower number or let him test the free agent waters (possibly do a PTO).
Adam Erne - this is a player I was very skeptical of. His first year with the team was Yzerman’s first year. Obviously knew the player and was comfortable with his game. 2 goals and 3 assists in 56 games (COVID shortened season). His high water mark was in another shortened season scoring 11 goals and 9 assists in 45 games the next year. 21-22 saw 6 goals and 13 assists in 79 games and last year 8 goals and 10 assists in 61 games. With a current AAV of 2.1, (2.4 actual last year) the 28 year old is in my opinion a depth player (man it feels like we have a lot of those). With raises coming and young talent trying to rise through the ranks I don’t know on this. I’d like to see a potentially smaller number or even a PTO.
Alex Chiasson only played 20 games with Detroit (29 w GR) and scored 6 goals and 3 assists in the NHL and 9 goals and 11 assists in the minors. A 750k price tag is fine, but not a critical piece. IF Detroit re signs him and he is outplayed by a rookie, waivers. Not heartbroken if he walks and tries his luck elsewhere.
Jordan Oesterle - 30 year old left shot defenseman. If Edvinsson were to come up next year I think that could put Oesterle on another roster. 2 goals and 9 assists in 52 games from the blue line isn’t bad, with a 1.35m deal to boot. He’s eclipsing 30 and the injury bug could start biting more.
Robert Hagg - 2 goals and 5 assists in 38 games and 2 years younger than Oesterle with an 800k deal. If the team is confident in his conditioning and health, could see him on a deal that can be sent to GR if needed.
Magnus Hellburg. Was on 3 rosters last year. 1 game w/ Ottawa, none with Seattle, and 17 with Detroit posting a 3.29 GAA and .885 SV%. He’s 32 and may be at camp if only to be waived down to GR.
Mark Pysk - 850k and didn’t play any games due to injury. A right shot defenseman, if he’s healthy I’d give him a look.
Alex Nedeljkovic - this is a frustrating scenario. Going into the season he and Husso seemed a good tandem. Then Husso took over. I don’t know if Cossa would be best served in the “bigs”. This is a coin toss for me. Bring him to camp, waive him if necessary? Or go shopping or look to trade.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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