The Detroit Red Wings have seven division rivals they can raid for free agents this offseason should they have some openings. And chances are, they will. After last season, it became apparent that several players were holding the team back, and should general manager Steve Yzerman righten some wrongs by getting rid of them, he’ll have plenty of chances to correct them with players in his own division.
Note, the list below is made up of primarily unrestricted free agents, even if I snuck an RFA onto the list. This also ain’t a group that’ll wow you either, so don’t expect anyone named Mitch Marner here. We’ve talked about Marner plenty of times, so it makes zero sense to list him, even if the Leafs player I discussed should intrigue you.
Anyway, I’m done chattering. Let’s get on with this.
Cole Koepke, Boston Bruins
Cole Koepke’s nothing more than a cheap, fourth-line winger, but double-digit goals this past season show he can be a depth scorer. Still, Koepke’s 177 hits this past season intrigues me, and the Red Wings need hitters. Last season, too many opponents pushed them around, and Koepke would put an end to that.
Kale Clague, Buffalo Sabres
I already talked about Bowen Byram, so there’s no need to mention him again. Instead, I’d like to fill you in on an underrated blueliner in Kale Clague. He’s given teams like the Sabres solid returns when called up, and he can even factor in as the No. 7 defenseman when depth is low. While Clague is likely organizational depth, he’s Mr. Reliable at the NHL level and doesn’t hold the team back when he gets a chance.
Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett would bring a well-rounded game to the Motor City, even if it’s not the most spectacular. He’ll give you between 40 and 50 points per season, on average, a physical presence, and top-six minutes when needed. His numbers won’t wow you, but they won’t disappoint, either. But with the likes of Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Marco Kasper in town, the Wings would fare well with another solid presence.
Christian Dvorak, Montreal Canadiens
Christian Dvorak would all but guarantee the Wings end up with the puck on between 55 and 60 percent of his face-offs. In nine NHL seasons splitting time between Arizona and Montreal, Dvorak’s won 53.1 percent of his face-offs, and there are times when he can surprise you in the points column. Not bad for a player who would likely see third-line minutes in the Motor City.
Dennis Gilbert, Ottawa Senators
No, Dennis Gilbert won’t bring fans out of their seats unless he drops gloves, and that’s why he’s on this list. Gilbert is a hit-first, ask-questions-later kind of player, and he adds an intimidation factor. He’s nothing more than a No. 7 defenseman who you add in when you’re playing an ultra-physical hockey team who you give just one job - punish opponents if they cross you. Still, he does that job well.
Yanni Gourde, Tampa Bay Lightning
If the Red Wings are looking for a playmaker who won’t take up a long-term contract yet would like to bolster their center depth, Yanni Gourde’s your answer. He put up 13 assists in 21 games with the Lightning following his trade from the Seattle Kraken. He fizzled in the playoffs this year, but still, Gourde’s a former Stanley Cup champion who would bring more of that winning culture to Hockeytown. Update: The Lightning extended Gourde to a six-year deal.
Nick Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Do you know who I see in Nick Robertson? Dylan Holloway. Someone with through-the-roof potential who’s put up 14 and 15 goals, respectively, over the past two seasons, despite averaging 12 or fewer minutes of average total ice time. The problem? He’s on too good of a team to get the ice time he deserves, but that won’t be as much of a problem in Detroit.
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