{"id":620843,"date":"2026-07-12T10:55:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T10:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/620843\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T10:55:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T10:55:14","slug":"my-detroit-red-wings-offseason-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/620843\/","title":{"rendered":"My Detroit Red Wings Offseason Proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before I start anything, what I\u2019m about to say won\u2019t hold a candle to Prashanth Iyer\u2019s \u201cIf I were Steve Yzerman\u201d<\/a> series on his Substack, which can be found on the embedded link.<\/p>\n

As the July 1st free agency deadline comes closer and closer, the uncertainty about the Red Wings only seems to keep growing. Obviously, the Dylan Larkin trade request saga still looms over this team as Steve Yzerman\u2019s first priority this offseason, but it\u2019s one of many. There are extensions to be done, commitments to be made, and roster spots to be given. So if I were the Red Wings general manager, how would I go about making it all happen?<\/p>\n

Putting Out Fires<\/p>\n

\"\"Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin | AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II<\/p>\n

I stand on the belief that nothing can happen this offseason until the return for Dylan Larkin is settled. So, the first move I would make is moving Dylan Larkin for a young, NHL-ready center. I\u2019m open to either a prospect or a young roster player, as long as they have the upside to become a potential number one center for the team. <\/p>\n

Some of the names I would be looking at include packages centered around Michael Hage, Konsta Helenius, or Roger McQueen. Admittedly, my two favorite center prospects are Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers. But with the Sebastian Cossa to Utah already being done, I\u2019m sure if a larger package including Larkin was possible, it would have been done.<\/p>\n

I believe each of the aforementioned names could become NHL number ones. To me, that\u2019s the centerpiece in a Dylan Larkin deal. I\u2019d be looking for one of those players, another first-round value asset, and another B-tier asset. Here\u2019s my ideal mock trade.<\/p>\n

Detroit Receives
Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, 2027 2nd round pickMontreal Receives
Dylan Larkin<\/p>\n

Obviously you don\u2019t love sending Dylan Larkin to an intra-division opponent. But Montreal has a surplus of young talent, a need at center, and the cap space to make a good trade partner. Pair that with their conference finals appearance, and they also have the pedigree that would make Larkin waive his no-movement clause.<\/p>\n

After the Dylan Larkin drama is dealt with, it\u2019s time to move on to signing some of the Red Wings key players to new deals. Alex DeBrincat, Simon Edvinsson and Patrick Kane all need new contracts heading into the 2026-27 season, so Detroit will have to fork over a decent chunk of their cap space. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve stated before that Simon Edvinsson should not exceed the internal number set by Moritz Seider for defensemen. Seider came 5th in Norris voting and 11th in MVP voting as well as winning the Calder Trophy in his rookie season; Simon Edvinsson is simply not the same tier of player. Not to mention his peers Lane Hutson, Jackson LaCombe and Luke Hughes all inked deals in the $8M-$9M range, and each of them has coherent arguments for making more money than Simon Edvinsson.<\/p>\n

After that, it\u2019s Alex DeBrincat. He\u2019s the team\u2019s first 40 goal scorer since Marian Hossa and finished top 20 in points this season. DeBrincat\u2019s mix of grit and skill is what makes him irreplaceable to this team, and if he\u2019s going to stay in Detroit during a retool, it\u2019s going to cost Detroit on the books. Still though, any number is worth it as 40-goal scorers don\u2019t grow on trees.<\/p>\n

Finally, Patrick Kane is due for a new deal. With the Red Wings looking to re-tool, Patrick Kane might seem like a casualty due to age. However, the experience and skill that Kane brings to the locker room are worth keeping around an otherwise poor Red Wings culture right now. His 57 points in 67 games have also kept him productive up front for the Red Wings, making a new deal for Kane plenty worth it. <\/p>\n

Simon Edvinsson (RFA)$8,250,000 x 8 yearsPatrick Kane (UFA)$6,500,000 x 1 yearsAlex DeBrincat (Extension eligible)$13,500,000 x 7 years<\/p>\n

With Dylan Larkin dealt and the big names set to return, it\u2019s time to start doing what we can to improve the roster while still maintaining the youth. <\/p>\n

Trimming the Fat<\/p>\n

\"MichaelRed Wings former top 10 pick Michael Rasmussen | Photo Credit Dave Reginek\/NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\n

When your coach refers to you as a \u201cjersey\u201d, it\u2019s a problem. The Red Wings have some serious cardio-merchants on this roster. Obviously the two big ones are J.T. Compher and Michael Rasmussen. But, with an aim for the future, Ben Chiarot and Mason Appleton are certainly expendable as well. There is clearly a need to get rid of some of the players who haven\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unreasonable to think that Detroit is going to get rid of all of these guys, so let\u2019s start with two. Michael Rasmussen and Mason Appleton. Michael Rasmussen has the size and penalty kill ability that might encourage a general manager to take a second chance on him. Mason Appleton also has a solid track record pre-Detroit, so there\u2019s a chance GM\u2019s needing depth might take a look at him.<\/p>\n

Detroit Receives
Future considerationsPhiladelphia Receives
Michael Rasmussen, 2027 4th round pick<\/p>\n

Detroit Receives
2028 6th round pickWinnipeg Receives
Mason Appleton<\/p>\n

Detroit sends Rasmussen to Philadelphia as a depth option with some size that Tocchet might be able to return to form. Philadelphia also gets a mid-round pick for taking on the contract. Detroit sends Appleton back to Winnipeg, where he had some good years, in return for a late pick.<\/p>\n

Trades and Free Agency<\/p>\n

\"RedMandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Even with a Dylan Larkin trade, the Red Wings need one more big move. Fortunately, the Red Wings have some assets to move before hitting free agency. I\u2019m looking at Nate Danielson as an option to hit the trade market. Down the middle, the Red Wings now have Michael Hage, Marco Kasper and potentially Carter Bear for the top six. Not to mention any future picks. The right wing now has Lucas Raymond, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Max Plante, Alexander Zharovsky and J.P. Hurlbert. So, the need for Nate Danielson is pretty much negated. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m also looking at Justin Faulk; the Red Wings might as well continue giving Sandin-Pellikka top-four minutes if they don\u2019t see themselves as competitors next season. Even getting Anton Johansson some run on the bottom pair seems much deserved after a great run with Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n

So I\u2019m looking for a deal to move both of them as a package. I think the team that fits them best is the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a thin right side already and one that may only get worse if Rasmus Andersson leaves. Faulk at 50% retained with Nate Danielson on an ELC could give them serious bang for their buck.<\/p>\n

Detroit Receives
Trevor Connelly
Vegas Receives
Justin Faulk (50% retained), Nate Danielson 2027, 7th round pick<\/p>\n

Detroit gets Trevor Connelly, an incredibly promising left-wing prospect who can step into the lineup as early as next season. Connelly finished his AHL campaign over a point per game for the Golden Knights and gives the Red Wings a high-upside prospect.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Red Wings should make one small add in free agency. I\u2019ve loved Jamie Oleksiak for a while as a player. He\u2019s a big body who plays solid defense; he\u2019s the kind of presence I want next to Axel Sandin-Pellikka next season. I\u2019m also interested in Scott Laughton as a short-term center option with some heart for this team\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n

Neither of the free agents is a long-term commitment. Instead, pricey stop-gaps to help aid the youth before making another push next season.<\/p>\n

Scott Laughton (UFA) $4,500,000 x 1 year<\/p>\n

Jamie Oleksiak (UFA)$5,300,000 x 2 years<\/p>\n

Final Roster<\/p>\n

\"LucasLucas Raymond for the Detroit Red Wings | AP Photo\/Paul Sancya<\/p>\n

Roster<\/p>\n

Alex DeBrincat Michael HageLucas RaymondTrevor ConnellyAndrew CoppMichael Brandsegg-NygardEmmitt FinnieMarco KasperPatrick KaneScott LaughtonJ.T. CompherCarter Mazur<\/p>\n

Simon EdvinssonMoritz SeiderJamie OleksiakAxel Sandin-PellikkaAlbert JohanssonAnton Johansson <\/p>\n

John GibsonMichal Postava<\/p>\n

Prospects<\/p>\n

Alexander ZharovskyMax PlanteCarter BearTrey AugustineJ.P. HurlbertVictor PlanteEddie GenborgBrent SolomanBeckham EdwardsMichal Pradel<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a little young to be competitive next season, and I\u2019m aware of that, but there\u2019s some serious upside here. Hage, Connelly and Brandsegg-Nygard would all get some serious run as top six forwards. Each of them project to be impact players who can give Detroit the top six help they need.<\/p>\n

The prospect pool gets a truly elite talent in Zharovsky to headline it now, with Plante, Bear and Augustine still looking promising. Not to mention the first round pick Detroit would have for next season.<\/p>\n

Finally, Carter Mazur, Anton Johansson and Michal Postava will get their looks, and the Red Wings can decide if these are pieces to keep or deal.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not perfect, but it leaves Detroit with the cap space and draft capital to either make a trade or draft another center. Either way, it\u2019s a lot younger and builds toward a far more clear window than they have now.<\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from Inside The Rink<\/p>\n

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