The Detroit Red Wings could have missed the boat with now Edmonton Oilers forward Jack Roslovic. Roslovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract this week after spending months attempting to secure a long-term deal.
According to a piece by Daily Faceoff on October 9, Roslovic was looking for a three to four-year deal around $3 million to $4 million AAV. That’s not a bad number for a 28-year-old middle-six forward who could score around 20 goals a season.
Based on that assumption, the Red Wings could have missed an opportunity to add a solid center who could anchor a growing Detroit lineup. Sure, the Red Wings didn’t really need Roslovic, but given the contract he ended up signing, couldn’t the Wings have done a little better to bring him aboard?
Say, couldn’t a two-year deal at $2.5 million land a serviceable middle-six piece like Roslovic?
It’s an intriguing thought that GM Steve Yzerman likely considered. I’m assuming that Roslovic’s people might have even reached out to the Red Wings or vice versa. That’s just my perception. Regardless of what actually happened, the Wings must look at themselves as contenders. And those are the sorts of moves that contenders make.
Passing on a player like Roslovic, while a strategic pass, says something more. The Red Wings are committed to building a team through a young core. That’s fine. But at some point, the club will need to spend some money to bring in productive veterans to support their growing stable of young stars.
Red Wings could make in-season moves to boost lineup
So, the Red Wings passed on Roslovic, but that doesn’t mean they won’t push for a major in-season move. That could depend on where the season goes.
A strong start and push for a playoff spot could mean Yzerman pushes for a major addition at or before the trade deadline. Who that could be will depend on injuries, performance, and specific needs.
It’s far too soon to venture out into thinking who could be on the Red Wings’ radar. But just judging from the Opening Night roster, the Red Wings need another middle-six center, just like Roslovic, and potentially another scoring winger.
On the blue line, perhaps some depth might come in handy, particularly if veterans like Travis Hamonic fall victim to injury.
All told, the Red Wings remain a work in progress. There’s no real way of telling how the club will fare this season unless someone has unlocked the secrets to predicting the future and time travel.
Incidentally, anyone who can manage to do that would instantly become the world’s most powerful and richest person. But we’re not there yet. So, we just need to be patient and wait for the season to unfold.
Whatever happens, it will be one heck of an entertaining season.