2021 Offseason Outlook

The 2020-21 Red Wings managed to barely make playoffs and proceeded to get swept by the Lightning. They were outscored 20-5 and were shut out in game 4 to end their season... not exactly a banner year for GM Evans and the Red Wings' roster.

So what now? It seems the Red Wings' faithful is stuck with GM Evans for the long run, despite all their GoFundMe campaigns, billboards, chants, online harassment, and pitchfork-wielding riots demanding his head. So if they're stuck with this managment team, I guess we're left with the coach and the players.

At his season-ending press conference back in April, GM Evans said: "I'm not a big fan of how this season ended. We limped into the playoffs, and then we were absolutely crushed by a divisional rival in Tampa. They were the better team at all aspects of the game, and our defense was attrocious. Clearly we did something very wrong here and need a bit of a new approach next year. Connor can't be the only one that shows up, that's not a winning formula for this team and that's not how we were built."

The team has a busy offseason ahead without a doubt. With Vegas expansion looming, a draft where the Red Wings hold picks 8 and 13, and several key RFA's due for new contracts it is sure to be an important offseason for this club.

The front office wasted no time in seeking meaningful changes to the roster.

First up: Sean Couturier was traded along with prospect Jusus Annunen to Pittsburgh for Ryan O'Reilly. Couturier was one of the longest tenured players on this team after having been acquired in the summer of '18. He put up an impressive 146 points over 160 games in the past 2 seasons and brought a strong 2-way game, but failed to perform in the playoffs with 3 points and a -8 rating in 10 playoff games. Ryan O'Reilly was the 18-19 Hart trophy winner in the MRFHL and has put up a ridiculous 219 points over 150 games (1.46 ppg) in the past 2 seasons as captain of the Penguins. In the playoffs he put up a very strong 18 points in 16 games.

GM Evans: "I hate to trade a guy with Sean's talent but the opportunity to acquire a proven winner like Ryan O'Reilly was too great to pass up. As an added bonus this frees up space to sign another UFA, and gives us cost certainty at 7.5M. Annunen is a solid prospect but I think he needs a few more years to develop."

In the second deal of the offseason, the Red Wings re-acquired Evander Kane. Chris Kreider, Tristen Robins, and Peter Diliberatore were shipped off to Florida in exchange for Evander. 

GM Evans: "I really think Evander has the potential to be Connor's right-hand man this year. He's going to play big minutes for us this year and he's really impressed me the past 2 years. He's rounded out his game and even though he shoots less he scores more, defends better, and plays a more disciplined game. I think he can kill penalties and chip in 35-50 goals; that's a special player. Chris was a good soldier for us, he elevated his play this season by putting up 34 goals in the regular season and was one of the very few players who showed up for the playoffs. He will be missed."

Up next on the horizon, the Red Wings will continue to explore the trade market and plan for the expansion draft, entry draft, and signing RFA's Hertl, Chabot, Pionk, and Hampus Lindholm. There are trade rumours that the Red Wings have been inquiring on a top goalie and a top defenseman to bring this team to the next level and add to the core of McDavid, ROR, Svechnikov, Heiskanen, Hertl, and Chabot.

-Detroit Free Press