Red Wings: Are There Any UFA's Worth Adding Before Camp?

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Training camp is right around the corner and the Detroit Red Wings roster is close to being set. Currently, the Red Wings have 22 players signed with Givani Smith left as the only un-signed RFA. Once Smith gets signed, Detroit will have their 23 man roster pretty much set going into training camp. The Red Wings still have approximately $14.2 million left in cap space. Certainly, General Manager Steve Yzerman doesn’t want to use up all the cap space available.

Are there any UFA’s still available that could challenge for a roster spot on Detroit?

Here is a short list of players who could be signed for affordable contracts or training camp tryouts with the Red Wings.

Bobby Ryan

Age: 34

Position: RW/LW

2021 Salary: $1,000,000

2021 Team: Detroit

GP: 33

G: 7

A: 7

PTS: 14

Bobby Ryan finished last season on the injured list. He started the season on fire when he scored four goals in the first three games. Ryan’s season slowed considerably after his first week in a Red Wings uniform.

At best, Ryan could sign for one more year. If Detroit isn’t interested in anything guaranteed, Ryan could be invited to a tryout. This scenario probably isn’t something that Ryan would entertain, but it is one way for him to be given a chance to prove himself.

In 2005, Dan Cleary came to Detroit’s camp on a tryout and that turned into a 10 year career with the Red Wings.

For the Red Wings, signing or inviting Ryan to training camp would be a depth move that would be affordable and a low risk move for a familiar veteran presence in the Detroit locker room.

Ryan Donato

Age: 25

Position: C/LW

2021 Salary: $1,900,000

2021 Team: San Jose

GP: 50

G: 6

A: 14

PTS: 20

Ryan Donato was originally a 2nd round draft pick of Boston in 2014. Donato became a free agent when San Jose didn’t offer him a contract for next season.

In 180 regular season games, Donato has scored 77 points. In his four seasons in the NHL, Donato has played for Boston, Minnesota and San Jose.

The versatile forward would be a good fit for Detroit because he is young, potentially affordable, and could add offense to a struggling roster.

Donato’s last contract was for two years. Detroit could offer Donato a one or two year deal.

If he doesn’t work out in Detroit, Donato could be traded at the deadline for a prospect or draft choice.

Alex Galchenyuk

Age: 27

Position: C/LW

2021 Salary: $1,050,000

2021 Team: Ottawa/Toronto

GP: 34

G: 5

A: 8

PTS: 13

Alex Galchenyuk was originally a 3rd overall selection of Montreal in 2012. During a nine year NHL career, Galchenyuk has scored 333 points in 583 regular season games. In six playoff seasons, Galchenyuk has added 17 points in 38 games. Galchenyuk’s best season occurred in 2015-16 when he scored 30 goals and 56 points in 80 games for Montreal.

After playing six seasons in Montreal, Galchenyuk has bounced around and played for Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa, and Toronto.

Galchenyuk has struggled over the last two years. He personally needs to get an opportunity to play for one team and show that he still has what it takes to play in the NHL.

Galchenyuk would be a good fit for Detroit. He is a versatile veteran who can score. Galchenyuk could be signed to a short-term deal or invited to training camp on a tryout basis. Either scenario would be beneficial for Detroit and provide competition in the bottom six of Detroit’s lineup.

Erik Gustafsson

Age: 29

Position: LD

2021 Salary: $3,000,000

2021 Team: Philadelphia/Montreal

GP: 29

G: 1

A: 11

PTS: 12

Erik Gustafsson was a 4th round draft pick of Edmonton in 2012. A veteran of five NHL seasons and 250 regular season games, Gustafsson has scored 131 points.

Prior to playing in the NHL, Gustafsson played parts of three seasons in Rockford (AHL) and scored 58 points in 120 games.

Gustafsson started his NHL career playing parts of five seasons in Chicago followed by short stints in Calgary, Philadelphia, and Montreal.

Gustafsson is a bit on the expensive side based on what he can deliver to an NHL roster. If Gustafsson expects a bump in salary, he might have to go back and play in Europe. The frozen salary cap for this season has limited Gustafsson’s bargaining power, and therefore, Gutafsson remains one of the top remaining defensive UFA’s.

Artem Anisimov

Age: 33

Position: C/LW

2021 Salary: $4,550,000

2021 Team: Ottawa

GP: 19

G: 2

A: 7

PTS: 9

Artem Anisimov was originally a 2nd round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 2006. Anisimov has played parts of 13 NHL seasons scoring 376 points in 771 regular season games. Anisimov’s best season occurred in 2016-17 when he was playing for Chicago. He scored 22 goals and 45 points in 64 regular season games.

Anisimov has also played in six playoff seasons while he was playing for New York and Chicago. In 43 playoff games, Anisimov has scored 17 points.

Anisimov has been rumored to be interested in playing for Detroit. He is a long-shot to sign with the Red Wings because of what he likely expects to be paid and his corresponding short-term fit on a rebuilding team.

If Detroit can sign Anisimov to a short-term incentive based contract, Detroit might be interested in his services. If Anisimov wants long-term security, he will most likely have to sign with another team or go back to Russia and finish his career in the KHL.

Next. Red Wings Weekly Review: Prospects, Hronek Re-Signing. dark

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