No matter where you look, the Detroit Red Wings' rumor mill is in full swing.
The rumors mostly revolve around the prospect pool: who will make it, who gets traded and when (or if) the Red Wings make their big move.
Defenseman William Wallinder is an interesting case, though, as he hasn't signed his extension. He's one of five restricted free agents this offseason, joining names like Simon Edvinsson, Sebastian Cossa, Carter Mazur and Amadeus Lombardi.
Wallinder's status as an RFA makes things a bit easier for the Red Wings because they hold all of the negotiation rights. They can sign him for NHL-level help, trade him for (hopefully) a good return or they can let another team offer sheet him for draft picks.
Hard to believe the Red Wings will move on from Wallinder
General manager Steve Yzerman has a history of drafting big defensemen. Whether it's Moritz Seider (6'2"), Simon Edvinsson (6'6"), Albert Johansson (6'0") or Wallinder himself (6'4"), Yzerman tends to lean in favor of bigger blueliners when rounding out the roster. The most logical route forward appears to be signing Wallinder to a team-friendly two-way deal to let him develop. Should he continue to impress, he'll find his way on the roster.
So far, he's managed to increase his point totals in each of his last three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He rounded out last season with 20 points in 66 games with a +21 plus/minus rating. Wallinder is the Griffins' premier shutdown guy.
He won't show up on the scoresheet regularly, but he'll be the first guy to shut down the other team's potential threats. He's relied upon in Grand Rapids as the minute-munching defender, doing his best to ensure the rest of the roster can cook up some offense.
Wallinder needs to earn audition with Red Wings next season
The biggest battle Wallinder has with the Red Wings is the chance to make the roster. With the top four all but rounded out with Seider, Edvinsson, Ben Chiarot and Justin Faulk, the only room remaining appears to be on the bottom pair. Albert Johansson has one side all but locked up but, while Jacob Bernard-Docker signed an extension, that other spot is up for grabs. If Wallinder has a great offseason and preseason, there's a chance he can steal that spot away from Bernard-Docker.
Still, the competition for that spot has some hefty competition. Axel Sandin-Pellikka will no doubt be a top candidate for the role. Other defenders like Shai Buium and Anton Johansson will make cases for themselves, as well. Should Wallinder be the big winner, it'll open up a spot on the top defensive pairing in Grand Rapids for someone like Sandin-Pellikka to take over.
Sandin-Pellikka was exciting to watch this season but he struggled on the defensive end of the ice at times. Putting him in Wallinder's spot in Grand Rapids next season would allow Sandin-Pellikka to make his mistakes and continue to figure his game out.
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