Wings Prepare for a Big Summer

As the MRFHL offseason commences, the Red Wings and GM Austin Evans are gearing up for a big offseason. After missing the playoffs in 3 consecutive years the mantra for this summer remains the same as it was last summer: Get the Wings back to the playoffs!

As the Leafs were dominating their way to an MRFHL title, GM Evans was busy working the phones and seeing what deals might be out there to improve the idle Red Wings. GM Evans managed to strike 2 deals during the playoffs to add some forward depth and increase flexibility in trades, and 1 minor deal swapping future 4th round picks with Toronto. Edit: Plus a 3rd deal for Gustafsson after playoffs. Editx2: Plus a 4th deal for Cam Fowler.

The first trade saw the Wings ship out Joel Armia, Jordie Benn, and Martin Hanzal to New Jersey in exchange for Patrick Maroon, Tyler Pitlick and top prospect Drake Batherson. "Benn and Hanzal were added during the season to make a playoff run.... and we know how that turned out. I wish them the best moving forward but their time as Wings will not be remembered fondly by our fans. Armia was tough to part with but I believe we have the depth to replace him. The real gem of this deal, to me, is Drake Batherson. He tore up the QMJHL playoffs this year, excelled at WJC, and showed exceptional grit on the ice. Maroon and Pitlick are both inexpensive options, making 1.65M and 0.8M next season respectively. Pitlick had a quietly impressive year with 14 goals 27 points in a checking role and Maroon adds some much needed size up front."

In the second trade, the Wings acquired powerforward Chris Kreider from Chicago in exchange for prospects Joseph Anderson and Rasmus Asplund. "Kreider brings a rare combination of size and speed, although his production hasnt quite matched his skill level and he's had some serious health concerns. Kreider was actually a member of the organization way back when I first took over as GM, so our fans will be glad to have him back. It was tough to part with two prospects of this level but it felt like good value for the player we acquired. Anderson captained team USA at WJC this past season and was a key member of his championship winnning NCAA team. Asplund has over 200 games of SHL experience before his 21st birthday and shows good passing skills."

Thirdly, the Wings used the 2019 4th acquired from the Leafs, along with youngster Kyle Platzer and a 2019 5th, for offensive defenseman Erik Gustafsson. "Gus has started to show that he belongs in the NHL and might be able to translate some of his offense to that level. I hope he can continue to take strides as a player and a become a 4/5 defenseman instead of a part time player."

Breaking news! Shortly after this edited article was published, GM Austin Evans was able to strike a deal for Cam Fowler. Fowler was acquired from the Sharks along with a 2019 4th round pick in exchange for Craig Smith, Matt Grzelcyk, and a 2019 2nd round pick.

GM Evans: "Craig Smith had a fantastic bounceback season in 2017-18 and fired home 25 goals, totalled 51 points and ended with a +20 rating. Did I mention he makes a paltry 2.5M for the next two seasons? I see a big season coming for Craig and wish him luck with the Sharks. Matt Grzelcyk is a player I've always believed in, and he showed a lot of potential as an NHL rookie this year: amassing 15 points and a +21 rating in fairly limited minutes. Grzelcyk will be on an entry level deal for the next 3 years as he continues to improve. I felt this move was necessary for the team due to the roster crunch up front, and it gives us a legit top 3 defenseman in Cam Fowler who is just entering his age 27 season this fall."

After the series of deals the Red Wings depth chart for the coming season looks something like:

Panarin-McDavid-Kucherov*
Zetterberg-Getzlaf*-Tarasenko
Kreider-Kesler*-Bailey
Maroon-Jarnkrok-Pitlick
Spares: Bellemare, Leipsic, Roy, Acciari, Chimera

Spurgeon-Karlsson
Fowler-Engelland
Gustafsson-Johns
Spares: Murphy, Marincin

M Smith/M Murray
*Note: Getzlaf (3.1), Kesler (3.5), and Kucherov (2.19) have retained salaries by other teams

Trade Block:
Looking to add at least 1 defenseman
Looking to package multiple pieces for 1 upgrade
Looking to add late picks, and to trade down with my 2018 3rds
Open to moving 2019 picks and players like:
-Chris Kreider
-Josh Bailey
-Tarasenko
-Maroon
-Zetterberg
-Mike Smith (UFA, willing to send a 1 shot resign with him)
-One of Fowler or Spurgeon

Have a great offseason everyone, let's get the trades rolling!