5 game-changing free agents who would drastically help the Red Wings next season

Brandon Montour would help on both ends of the ice

In a previous article, I listed Oliver Ekman-Larsson as a potential blueliner the Red Wings could ‘steal’ from a rival. Brandon Montour is another one who will be entering unrestricted free agency, and would he be an upgrade or what?

Last season, he had 73 points and 16 goals, which is an incredible number for a defenseman, and it led to him finishing 12th for the Norris Trophy. Add in the 92 hits, 93 blocks, and 33 takeaways, and it’s more than clear that Montour is one of the league’s best blueliners, regardless of which zone he finds himself in. 

He has just 32 points and seven goals in 63 games this year, so he hasn’t been as effective in scoring. But he’s still ultra-physical, and he continues to get in front of shots, helping the Panthers maintain their status as one of the league’s best defensive teams. 

We won’t see Steve Yzerman manage to sign all of these free agents, and thinking otherwise is nothing short of wishful. But if he lands just one while continuing to stick to his famed “Yzerplan,” look for the Red Wings to potentially break through and make a serious bid at knocking off either Boston, Florida, or Toronto from the top three next season. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)