Detroit Red Wings: Getting to know Madison Bowey

If you were not aware, a couple of hours after Nick Jensen was acquired by the Capitals he signed a four-year contract extension worth 10 million dollars.

BH: How do you feel about the deal?

DS: I love the deal, personally. It’s an excellent trade for both sides. Initially, I thought a second-round pick was a bit much for Jensen, but the extension eased my worries. I’m also happy Bowey’s going somewhere where he ought to get regular playing time because that’s something he couldn’t get with the Capitals. He’s a very easy guy to root for, and the Detroit Red Wings fans are going to like him.

BH: I agree with the deal benefitting both franchises.  Although Nick Jensen had become a bit of a fan favorite in the city of Detroit, that doesn’t mean a contract extension here was necessarily the right move.

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Jensen was arguably the most reliable, steady defenseman all season long.  He’s a shot-blocking machine and is an above average skater who has no issue skating the puck out of danger through traffic to exit his own zone.  He has excellent vision which helps him limit turnovers while making the first pass exiting the defensive zone.  That is extremely important for a defenseman, in today’s NHL just flipping the puck out of the zone aimlessly allows the opponents to regain possession and attack once again.

Jensen will serve a purpose on a playoff team such as the Caps as a 5th or 6th defenseman. He’s shown the ability to play north of 20:00 minutes a night and can be elevated if injuries occur in Washington.  He will provide valuable depth on a Stanley Cup contending team at a fair 2.5 million per season price.

I feel the Detroit Red Wings made the correct move by trading Jensen.  The second round pick in 2020 is actually the centerpiece of the deal.  I consider Madison Bowey as the “throw in.”  That is not a knock on him; I just feel draft picks are essential in today’s salary cap driven league.

Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings have created this salary cap dilemma by resigning and overvaluing their own for years.  They’ve foolishly given players like Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader all long term deals that have put the franchise in a precarious position.

Jensen with the Detroit Red Wings was a top-four defenseman, that is the problem.  In the leagues’ eyes, he’s a third pairing depth defender.  Although the 2.5 million was affordable, the Wings have potential to add a top 60 draft choice to their crop of young players in 2020 along with adding a 23-year-old in Bowey who has yet to reach his full potential.

More moves like this will free up cap space over the next few years allowing the Detroit Red Wings to add more impactful, top-end players at a higher price and filling out the bottom of their roster with young players who make a low cap number who are playing on rookie deals.  The fact is the old way of thinking “re-signing” all of our own isn’t working and re-signing Jensen would be following the same model BUT expecting a different result.

I would like to once again thank Dave for his time and insight. Be sure to head on over to Puck Prose to see the tremendous daily content they provide.