We’ve reached the point in the offseason where I put together my game plan for the Detroit Red Wings. Not predicting what the Red Wings will do this summer, but rather what I think they should do.
This is all based on prior analysis, including year-over-year team evaluation and individual player grades. Plus, a review of Detroit’s organization depth and identifying the missing pieces.
In addition, I relied on a few things that I know to be true:
Offensive improvements are a higher priority over defensive gains
Todd McLellan wants players that fit his style: fast and assertive
Red Wings management wants the team to be harder to play against
Steve Yzerman is willing to be aggressive
So with that said, let’s dive into my offseason blueprint for the Red Wings.
The Hockey Writers’ offseason blueprint for the Red Wings. (The Hockey Writers)
Red Wings’ RFAs
First, we’ll start with Detroit’s restricted free agents since they are typically re-signed or tendered qualifying offers prior to the draft. You can find a deeper dive on the contracts here.
LW Jonatan Berggren – Two years, $1.5 million AAV
LD Albert Johansson – Two years, $1.2 million AAV
LW Elmer Soderblom – One year, $1.15 million
RD Antti Tuomisto – One year, $813,750
LW Cross Hanas – One year, $813,750
LD Eemil Viro – Tender qualifying offer to retain his rights
Buyouts
I’m buying out Vladimir Tarasenko. Doing so will cost $1,583,333 against the cap for the next two seasons.
Detroit needs the space for other moves, and it was clear that he’d prefer to be somewhere else. And, at this point, the Red Wings would need to attach a sweetener to Tarasenko if they wanted to trade him.
2025 NHL Draft
Next, chronologically speaking, is the 2025 NHL Draft. Detroit holds the 13th pick and I expect them to stay put. To conduct the mock draft, I used FCHockey’s simulator.
I selected Bear over Justin Carbonneau and Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 13 – in my opinion, Bear’s ceiling is higher. He—like many other prospects in this year’s draft class—fits in well with Detroit’s culture and has the high-compete DNA that the organization values.
Carter Bear in a game for the Everett Silvertips. (Photo credit: Evan Morud)
Elsewhere, I got good value in Lee at No. 44, Wang at No. 75, and Eriksen at No. 140. This draft class is forward-heavy, but that’s how the chips fell. Wang, in particular, could prove to be a steal.
Detroit’s Offseason Trades
Only one trade to report. Several others were considered, but I only felt good about pulling the trigger on this one.
Detroit trades freshly signed Jonatan Berggren and a 2026 second-round pick to Los Angeles for Alex Laferriere. I’ve been advocating for Laferriere for some time now and believe he has a bright future ahead – one that will eventually see him become a top-six forward.
Trades for Nic Hague and Adam Pelech were also considered. The cost was just too high, though.
Related: Red Wings & Kings Destined to Be Trade Partners
Red Wings’ UFA Additions
While some would prefer Mitch Marner, I don’t expect him to sign with the Red Wings. Instead, I signed a few others to improve the team offensively and add some defensive depth.
C/LW Sam Bennett – Seven years, $7.75 million AAV
RW Patrick Kane – One year, $4.5 million
RD Nick Perbix – Three years, $3 million AAV
LW/C Michael Eyssimont – One year, $950,000
LW/C Joe Snively – One year, $800,000
LW Carson Meyer – Two years, $800,000 AAV
LD Jarred Tinordi – One year, $800,000
G Arvid Holm – One year, $775,000
Let’s start with Bennett. The term and AAV may scare some, but that’s just the reality of the increasing salary cap world. He’s exactly the type of player the Red Wings need – a tone-setter that plays a winning brand of hockey in a top-six role. The hope is that he can rub off on the likes of Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Emmitt Finnie, and other hard-nosed players over the next few years. Plus, Bennett and Laferriere do an outstanding job of generating high-danger chances – something the Red Wings struggled mightily with in 2024-25.
Sam Bennett after scoring a goal in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Perry Nelson/Imagn Images)
Bringing Kane back is a no-brainer. His chemistry with DeBrincat and Detroit’s top power play unit is undeniable. This would be a similarly structured contract as the one he signed prior to the 2024-25 season – a slight bump up to $4.5 million for base salary, plus up to $2 million in incentives. This is allowable since it would be a 35+ contract.
Next up is Perbix, who is an underrated defender and has been overshadowed by Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, and Erik Cernak in Tampa Bay. He’ll be 26 on June 15 and is strong in transition, an excellent shot-blocker, and uses his size to his advantage. A three-year deal will allow Axel Sandin Pellikka to phase into Detroit’s lineup at a conservative pace, if needed.
Eyssimont adds depth and brings compete and physicality to the bottom of the lineup. He, along with Bennett and Perbix, make the Red Wings harder to play against – a top priority this offseason.
Red Wings 2025-26 Roster
Now that free agents have been signed and trades have been made, it’s time to take a look at what these moves add up to. Below is the projected opening night lineup, special teams units, and more.
LW
C
RW
Sam Bennett
Dylan Larkin
Lucas Raymond
Patrick Kane
Marco Kasper
Alex DeBrincat
Elmer Soderblom
Andrew Copp
Alex Laferriere
Michael Rasmussen
J.T. Compher
Carter Mazur
Michael Eyssimont
LD
RD
G
Ben Chiarot
Moritz Seider
Cam Talbot
Simon Edvinsson
Nick Perbix
Petr Mrazek
Erik Gustafsson
Albert Johansson
Justin Holl
Bringing in Bennett provides the Red Wings with some flexibility in the top six. There are three natural centers in Bennett, Kasper, and Dylan Larkin. McLellan will be able to shift around pieces knowing he’ll always have at least two top-six-caliber centers manning the first two lines.
There’s flexibility in the bottom six as well. Detroit could deploy a heavy third line in Laferriere, Andrew Copp, and Elmer Soderblom. Michael Rasmussen could slot in there as well if need be – either at center or on the wing. Compher could also center the line if the Red Wings wanted a different look.
Defensively, I’m betting on Ben Chiarot having a decent season given the fact that it’s a contract year for the veteran. His next deal is likely his last big-ish payday, so there’s extra incentive to exceed expectations. Perbix and Simon Edvinsson provide the Red Wings with a big, suffocating second pair that can be counted on in big minutes.
Proposed Red Wings Power Play
Position
PP1
PP2
Quarterback
Moritz Seider
Erik Gustafsson
Left Flank
Lucas Raymond
Alex Laferriere
Right Flank
Patrick Kane
Marco Kasper
Bumper
Dylan Larkin
Sam Bennett
Net Front/Side of Net
Alex DeBrincat
J.T. Compher
No changes for Detroit’s top unit. For PP2, the net front player could be any of Compher, Mazur, or Soderblom. The Red Wings have options. Plus, the additions of Bennett and Laferriere should give Detroit two solid power play units.
Proposed Red Wings Penalty Kill
Position
PK1
PK2PK3
Forward 1
Dylan Larkin
Andrew Copp
Marco Kasper
Forward 2
Lucas Raymond
J.T. Compher
Michael Rasmussen
Defense 1
Ben Chiarot
Simon Edvinsson
Defense 2
Moritz Seider
Nick Perbix
In addition to the players listed above, Detroit could have Soderblom and Albert Johansson killing penalties depending on who’s in the lineup that night and which player(s) are in the box.
Grand Rapids Griffins 2025-26 Roster
LW
C
RW
Sheldon Dries
Nate Danielson
Austin Watson
Joe Snively
Amadeus Lombardi
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Carson Meyer
Ondrej Becher
Dominik Shine
Cross Hanas
Emmitt Finnie
Eduards Tralmaks
Carson Bantle
Alexandre Doucet
Jakub Rychlovsky
LD
RD
G
William Wallinder
Axel Sandin Pellikka
Sebastian Cossa
Shai Buium
Anton Johansson
Arvid Holm
Jarred Tinordi
Antti Tuomisto
Jan Bednar
Nicklas Andrews
Carter Gylander
Heading into 2025-26, the Griffins seemingly have a strong roster. Full seasons from Axel Sandin Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Emmitt Finnie will make them a deeper team. The additions of Meyer, Tinordi, Holm, and Eduards Tralmaks will help, too.
I also expect Sandin Pellikka, Brandsegg-Nygard, Austin Watson, Nate Danielson, and Amadeus Lombardi to get time with the Red Wings next season at some point.
Final Word
At the end of the day, the Red Wings would be left with $2,978,294 in cap space – plenty of wiggle room for recalls and cap space to bank for the trade deadline. Also, enough room to cover Kane’s performance bonuses should they hit.
This Red Wings team would be tougher to play against and should be more productive offensively. They certainly have enough talent to reach the playoffs.
Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and PuckPedia.
