Ted Kulfan asks Steve Yzerman if fans can expect more trades soon.
Ted Kulfan asks Steve Yzerman if fans can expect more trades soon.
The Detroit Red Wings appear to have landed their No. 1 goalie for the 2025-26 season, but the rest of their offseason work looks to have added depth rather than difference-makers.
That’s the take from ESPN, which handed out offseason grades Tuesday. The outlet gave the Wings a “B” for their work so far, which is headlined by the trade with the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender John Gibson, and includes the signings of forwards James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton and John Leonard, as well as defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell in free agency.
“Credit to GM Steve Yzerman for finally finding a new home for Gibson,” ESPN writes. “That pre-free agency trade felt like a long time coming and not only gives Gibson a fresh start but also upgrades Detroit’s goaltending situation (which was a clear priority heading into the offseason).
“But Yzerman seemed content to let that be the only serious changes to the Red Wings’ roster. He filled in the edges a bit with bottom-six wingers Appleton and James van Riemsdyk, and has another third-pairing defense option in Jacob Bernard-Docker, but beyond that Detroit will (barring any other movement) enter this season much the way it exited the last.
“Depth is a good thing to have. But the Red Wings needed a bigger name to boost their back end, and would have also have benefitted from improved top-six scoring potential.”
The Wings did keep some talent under their roof, re-signing veteran forward Patrick Kane, an unrestricted free agent, as well as restricted free-agent forwards Elmer Soderblom and Jonatan Berggren, and defenseman Albert Johansson.
Despite what’s been described as a quiet summer for the Wings, which likely was affected by a number of bigger-name free agents such as forward Mitch Marner (traded), defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forwards Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett (all re-signed with Florida), forwards John Tavares (Toronto) and Matt Duchene (Dallas), and defenseman Ivan Provorov (Columbus) either staying put or having their rights traded, Yzerman said last week he feels like the team can “take a step” forward as it tries to end a nine-season playoff drought.
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