Analyzing Detroit Red Wings UFAs Before Free Agency

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The 2021 Free Agency frenzy begins on July 28. Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman will be extremely busy after the Expansion and Entry Drafts conclude. Yzerman must first decide which current Red Wings Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) he will sign.

Here is a look at Detroit’s Current UFA’s and a prediction as to what Yzerman will do with each player.

Jonathan Bernier

Age: 32

2021 Stats

GP: 24

Record: 9-11-1

GAA: 2.99

SV%: .914

2021 Salary: $3,000,000

Advantages of Signing

Re-signing Jonathan Bernier provides Detroit with a solid goaltending duo with Thomas Greiss. He has been a leader on the ice, and may have been the MVP on the Red Wings this year. The Red Wings do not currently have any prospects ready to play in the NHL, so signing a veteran goalie is important in order to keep this young team competitive throughout the season. Detroit has plenty of cap space, so signing Bernier should occur after the expansion draft in July.

Disadvantages if Signing

Bernier has been injury prone during the duration of his current contract in Detroit. He has only played over 40 games once during the past three seasons. His asking price and the duration of the contract may not align with what Yzerman is willing to pay him.

Prediction

Jonathan Bernier is signed to a two year deal with Detroit for $7.2 million and a cap hit of $3.6 million annually.

Age: 34

GP: 47

G: 3

A: 4

PTS: 7

2021 Salary: $3,850,000

Advantages of Signing

Darren Helm is a veteran leader of a young Detroit Red Wings locker room. After completing his 14th season in Detroit, Helm is still an effective penalty killer and terrific skater. If signed, Detroit should be able to sign Helm for a hometown discount.

Disadvantages of Signing

Helm takes up a roster spot that could be used for a younger and more affordable prospect. His lack of scoring will hinder the possibility of an extension.

Prediction

Darren Helm will not be offered a contract by Detroit.

Valtteri Filppula

Age: 37

GP: 38

G: 6

A: 9

PTS: 15

2021 Salary: $3,000,000

Advantages of Signing

Valtteri Filppula has played 16 seasons in the NHL including two stints with the Red Wings. His veteran presence and two-way play is an asset to any team.

Disadvantages of Signing

Filppula is not the player he once was. He was a healthy scratch throughout the season as Coach Jeff Blashill inserted younger players into the lineup. His cap hit is also an obstacle in re-signing the veteran forward.

Prediction

Valtteri Filppula will retire from the NHL.

Luke Glendening

Age: 32

GP: 54

G: 6

A: 9

PTS: 15

2021 Salary: $1,800,000

Advantages of Signing

Luke Glendening is a master in the faceoff circle. After completing his 8th season in Detroit, Glendening has been an alternate captain for the past two seasons. A true leader on and off the ice, Glendening is an affordable bottom six option at multiple forward positions. Glendening could also be an option at the trade deadline if Steve Yzerman wants an additional draft choice in 2022.

Disadvantages of Signing

Glendening blocks a prospect from a position in the bottom six. At this point in his career, Glendening will be looking for a multi-year contract.

Prediction

Luke Glendening signs a two year deal with Detroit for $4.0 million and a cap hit of $2.0 million annually.

Sam Gagner

Age: 31

GP: 42

G: 7

A: 8

PTS: 15

2021 Salary: $850,000

Advantages of Signing

Sam Gagner is a very affordable veteran of 14 NHL seasons. Gagner has at times been a nice contributor at both ends of the ice. He can play anywhere in the lineup and is most likely willing to sign a short term contract.

Disadvantages of Signing

Gagner blocks a roster position for a young prospect.

Prediction

Sam Gagner signs a one year deal with Detroit for $900,000.

Marc Staal

Age: 34

GP: 56

G: 3

A: 7

PTS: 10

2021 Salary: $5,700,000

Advantages of Signing

Marc Staal is a veteran of 14 NHL seasons. He is a dependable left shot defenseman. Re-signing Staal provides prospects an opportunity to continue to ripen in the AHL and in Europe.

Disadvantages to Signing

Signing Staal is going to be expensive and long-term. Staal is also not as mobile as he was earlier in his career and is often beaten by the faster and younger forwards in today’s NHL.

Prediction

Marc Staal leaves Detroit as an UFA and signs with another team.

Bobby Ryan

Age: 34

GP: 33

G: 7

A: 7

PTS: 14

2021 Salary: $1,000,000

Advantages of Signing

Bobby Ryan wants to remain in Detroit. He is terrific in the locker room with the younger players. He has a knack for scoring goals as evidenced by the four goals he scored in the first three games in a Detroit uniform. He is affordable and is willing to sign a short-term contract.

Disadvantages of Signing

The roster may not have an opening for a player like Bobby Ryan. He only scored three goals in his final 30 games this year. He finished the season prematurely due to injury.

Prediction

Bobby Ryan will not be offered a contract and will sign with another team as an UFA.

Taro Hirose

Age: 24

GP: 6

G: 0

A: 2

PTS: 2

2021 Salary: $825,000

Advantages of Signing

Taro Hirose is an affordable option if he is tendered a contract. He had a very good season mostly playing with Grand Rapids (AHL). A power play specialist, Hirose could help out offensively with a struggling Red Wings offense.

Disadvantages of Signing

At age 24, Hirose may have reached his potential as a prospect. Hirose has only played 42 games for Detroit over the three years since graduating from Michigan State University.

Prediction

Taro Hirose will test the free agency waters and sign with another NHL team.

Alex Biega

Age: 33

GP: 13

G: 0

A: 3

PTS: 3

2021 Salary: $875,000

Advantages of Signing

Alex Biega is a nice addition as a seventh defenseman. In seven NHL seasons, has played 241 games, so he brings a veteran presence into the dressing room.

Disadvantages of Signing

Re-signing Biega blocks a roster spot for a prospect who can’t be sent to Grand Rapids (AHL) without going through waivers. At this point in his career, Biega is strictly a seventh defenseman.

Prediction: Alex Biega is not offered a contract by Detroit and becomes an UFA.

Calvin Pickard

Age: 29

2021 Stats

GP: 6

Record: 2-1-1

GAA: 3.16

SV%: .874

2021 Salary: $750,000

Advantages of Signing

Calvin Pickard is a reliable third string goalie at the NHL level. He is also affordable on a short-term deal.

Disadvantages of Signing

At some point, Detroit has to bring prospects into Grand Rapids (AHL) so they can be groomed to take over at the NHL level. Re-signing Pickard blocks a goalie spot in the AHL for either Kaden Fulcher or Keith Petruzzelli if he is signed by the Red Wings this summer.

Prediction

Calvin Pickard is signed to a one year contract for $750,000, to mentor Fulcher and/or Petruzzelli in Grand Rapids.

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