Detroit Red Wings need to part ways with veteran forward & embrace youth movement

The Detroit Red Wings are focused on the here and now. It's me who's starting to look ahead, but mostly just because it's the time of year when prospects get a cup of tea in the NHL and start making some noise on their 10-game tryouts. Detroit brought up Simon Edvinsson and is fighting for a playoff spot.

The Detroit Red Wings need to be smart with their forward core this summer and next year. One thing that needs to be agreed on is that David Perron should not get another contract. He's an unrestricted free agent and should be cut loose after this year, with Detroit letting him walk.

This may not seem like some major claim or some monumental viewpoint, but I know there are folks out there interested in keeping Perron around as a locker room guy. He's proven himself in the NHL, has helped with this team's morale, and has been good for Detroit off the ice.

There's no denying that. Perron is good for the team with what he brings in terms of the intangibles. However, the tangibles are a bit worrisome and leave a pretty sizable hole if you want to look at this team as a playoff team. Detroit needs to make some upgrades, and moving on from Perron this off-season would allow for that opportunity.

Detroit Red Wings need to refrain from re-signing David Perron.

Perron has played in 63 games with 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 total points to his credit. He has played in 63 games for the Red Wings but has not quite been a real standout guy. Something has to give for Detroit. They have to see this, especially with the troublesome performance.

He's been fine but is no better than a bottom-six forward. He's had some rough games defensively, and while he's scored 13 goals, his turnovers and shotty defensive work have also given the opposition some goals. He signed a two-year deal with the Red Wings ahead of the 2022-23 season.

But, with a $4.75 million cap hit on his two-year deal and unrestricted free agency on the horizon -- it's time to cut bait and move in a different direction. Embrace the youth movement. The Red Wings have some players in the minors they can call upon; now is the time to try and fill some holes from within.

It's players like Marco Kasper who deserve this chance. Kasper, a former first-rounder, has plenty to like about himself as well. Not to mention, they could always sign a free agent who's on the younger side of things if they really needed to—but the time is now to start trusting their younger players.