It goes without saying that this NHL free agency class lacked legitimate needle-movers. No one, from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Vancouver Canucks, was going to sign a star player once free agency opened up July 1.
That said, it doesn't mean NHL teams can't upgrade their rosters with a handful of signings. The Detroit Red Wings made six signings (and one trade) on their first day of free agency and already look like a different team.
Last season, the Red Wings spent $18.775M to sign the following NHL players*:
Free agent | Contract |
|---|---|
Patrick Kane | 1 year, $3M/year |
Mason Appleton | 2 years, $2.9M/year |
James van Riemsdyk | 1 year, $1M/year |
Travis Hamonic | 1 year, $1M/year |
Jacob Bernard-Docker | 1 year, $875K/year |
Elmer Soderblom | 2 years, $1.125M/year |
Jonatan Berggren | 1 year, $1.825M/year |
John Leonard | 1 year, $775K/year |
Albert Johansson | 2 years, $1.125M/year |
*Note: Ian Mitchell (signed for one year at $775K) was left off this list due to not playing an NHL game.
As of right now, the only players still remaining on the roster are Albert Johansson, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Mason Appleton.
This time around, the Red Wings decided to take a more efficient route, signing the following NHL players*:
Free agent | Contract |
|---|---|
Carter Mazur | 2 years, $875K/year |
Viktor Arvidsson | 2 years, $5M/year |
Daniil Tarasov | 1 year, $2M/year |
William Wallinder | 2 years, $875K/year |
*Note: Wilmer Skoog, Cameron Butler and Jacob Bryson were left off this list as it's unclear whether or not they will start NHL games.
That's $15.5M locked up between four players. While $15.5M between four players might seem a little pricier, it's clear that Yzerman's free agency philosophy has changed. Rather than penny-pinching with a series of aging UFAs, he's decided to focus on addressing the immediate needs of the team. Arvidsson's even-strength skill and Tarasov's consistency make them clear upgrades rather than marginal deals like Mason Appleton or Travis Hamonic.
In short: Yzerman is prioritizing quality over quantity.
Yzerman capitalizes on trade market
But signing free agents wasn't the only thing Yzerman did. In recognition that the team had to get tougher, he made a move with the Vegas Golden Knights, sending a third round pick and a seventh round pick to acquire Keegan Kolesar. Kolesar is one of the most efficient bruisers in the NHL. He ended last season seventh in the NHL in hits while playing an average of 11:32 a night.
In the last four seasons, Kolesar is fourth among all skaters in hits.
To say the Red Wings have needed some physicality is the understatement of the century. The team hasn't had a legitimate bruiser since Givani Smith, and, even then, Smith didn't provide much in terms of impact apart from fighting and hitting. Kolesar, while not an offensive dynamo, provides above-average defense and still contributes on the fourth line.
Still plenty of time before puck drop
For those still unhappy with free agency, it's important to note that the season doesn't start until September. There's plenty of time between now and then for the Red Wings to make a move (or, more specifically, the move). The roster, as it stands, is not the final product. Prospects like Carter Bear and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard can (and almost certainly will) fight their way onto the roster. Veterans like Michael Rasmussen will need to justify their roster spot.
The rest of this offseason (and the subsequent preseason to come) should be one full of drastic change for the Red Wings.
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