3 forwards the Red Wings must avoid in NHL free agency

The Detroit Red Wings could sign some game-changing free agents to help them officially take another step on the rebuilding rung in 2024-25, but others will come with a ‘buyer beware’ tag attached to them. Today, we’re talking about a trio of forwards who will carry that very tag in July. 

Just because the following three forwards are free agents, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would be wise to avoid in NHL free agency; it’s also important to remember that none of the following names are bad players. If Yzerman signs any of them, there is a good chance they will bring value to the Motor City, so you can argue in favor of each. 

But as things have gone this season regarding these players, there are more cons than pros. One proved to be a great scorer this past season, and it nonetheless raised his value. Another also looked good, but he also wasn’t healthy for much of the season, while the third name on this list struggled through one of the worst campaigns imaginable. 

Anthony Mantha, Vegas Golden Knights

We’re starting with a former Detroit Red Wing here with Anthony Mantha, who has put together a good year with the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights. He finished the season with 23 goals and 44 points, and he showed off a physical edge down the stretch that the Red Wings could use. 

That said, Mantha is on this list not because he would make a bad signing for the Red Wings. He’s one player I would endorse returning to Detroit because he could bring in some serious depth scoring, especially after this past season. Although he didn’t seem to be as physical this year while in Washington, that changed in Vegas, but my concern with Mantha has to do with his potential contract length. 

He played well enough this season to justify more than just a “prove it” deal, and there is also a good chance he signs on for another two or three seasons. It’s ironic because, before the All-Star Break, there was a different narrative going on with Mantha, who had 23 points and 15 goals in his first 43 contests. 

But he picked up his play after the All-Star Break with 21 points and eight goals in 31 outings, catapulting his points per game from 0.534 per to 0.677 per. Before the All-Star Break, Mantha may have been on pace to sign a modest, one-year deal, but that’s not quite the case now, and he could get in the way of a high-end prospect in Detroit if he signed a multi-year contract.

Viktor Arvidsson, Los Angeles Kings

Whether he sticks with the Los Angeles Kings or goes elsewhere, someone will get a phenomenal veteran in Viktor Arvidsson. He’s been such a good player in this league that, as with Anthony Mantha, not a single fan should be too disappointed if Arvidsson ended up with the Red Wings. 

Sure, he saw time in just 18 games this season, but he also made them count with 15 points and six goals. He was still playing well in the defensive zone, inconveniencing opponents either by preventing shots from reaching the net with 18 blocks or poking the puck away with his stick. The latter means Arvidsson would be one of those forwards who would also give the Red Wings much-needed assistance in the defensive zone. 

But for me, the problem is this: He came across as injury-prone this past season, and a team on the verge of ending a playoff drought cannot afford to invest in a high-risk player regardless of the rewards. 

It would be one thing if Arvidsson returned and stayed healthy following a 60-game layoff because of a back operation. But he instead almost immediately returned to injured reserve after playing in just a handful of games before he finally got healthy.