The post The Daily: Detroit’s Priority Should be a Center; Griffins Start Playoff Saturday appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesJerome Miron-Imagn Images
There’s no rule preventing eliminated teams from making trades while the NHL playoffs are ongoing, but those deals don’t happen often.
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In 2024, the New Jersey Devils acquired goalie Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames for a first round pick and defenseman Kevin Bahl between Games 5 and 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers,
But GMs prefer to wait until the playoffs are over to move players because they have more bidders. More bidders usually result in a better return. That’s why the Red Wings probably won’t do much until we are closer to the June 26-27 draft in Buffalo.
This year’s July 1 free agent marketplace is short of high impact performers, although the Red Wings are interested in a few players with some scoring on their resumes. But based on what GM Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings could be aggressive in the trade market, perhaps making a deal or two similar to the Justin Faulk deal.
In other words, the Red Wings are willing to give draft pick or picks and a prospect for a veteran performance to fill a need.
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Here are the priorities:
1. Second Line Center
No one is giving up on Marco Kasper. But if they can land a proven No. 2, then Kasper can move to No. 3 center. That could enhance his development.
2. Buying More Goals
That means bring in a winger to play in the top six or bring in forwards who offer goals playing in the bottom two lines. That might mean signing a free agent like Viktor Arvidsson or trading for a third liner who can score 15 goals.
3. Size and Belligerence
It feels like GM Steve Yzerman will add at least two forwards who are miserable to play against. Michael McCarron, A.J. Greer, maybe Mason Marchment are on Detroit’s target list. Those players are on the free agent list.
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The Grand Rapids Griffins will begin their playoff journey Saturday with a 3 p.m. road game against the Manitoba Moose. The Griffins were 6-1-1-0 against Manitoba. That includes a 3-1 mark in Manitoba.
Hockey Now Digest
Boston: Viktor Arvidsson (undisclosed injury) unlikely to play in Game 6 against Buffalo. Boston Bruins.
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New Jersey: Is Nico Hischier’s next deal going to be worth $11 million per season. New Jersey Devils.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski looks at whether the Penguins will re-sign Evgeni Malkin. It might not happen. Could the Red Wings persuade him to play in Detroit for a season? Pittsburgh Penguins.
The post The Daily: Detroit’s Priority Should be a Center; Griffins Start Playoff Saturday appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.