The future of the Red Wings defense
The Red Wings have multiple areas of need, but the defense may be the most pressing. Three veteran defenseman will likely move on after this season, and that’s is a breath of fresh air. Their departure will free up more than 10 million dollars, but a lot of that money may be needed to extend Simon Edvinsson.
The sixth overall pick from 2021 looks to be a critical part of Detroit’s future success. Edvinsson’s first full season saw him playing over 21 minutes per night and amassing 7 goals and 31 points. Edvinsson may well be earmarked to share a line with Moritz Seider in the near future.
Comparing Edvinsson and Seider
Last year, negotiations with Moritz Seider carried all the way into training camp for Detroit. Seider was rewarded with a 7 year 8.55 million dollar contract, and stands out as the Red Wing’s top defenseman. Seider had three full of years of play in the NHL as a sample size, Edvinsson has just over 100 games.
In comparing the two blue liners, the numbers make an interesting case for Edvinsson. Edvinsson’s goal production is slightly higher than Seider, 0.1 versus 0.09 per game respectively. For assists, Seider stands out with .46 per game to Edvinsson’s .24. Seider has averaged 23:24 on ice in 328 games compared to Edvinsson’s 20:19 in 103 games. Last season, Seider led the team playing over 25 minutes a night to Edvinsson’s 21+ minutes.
Steve Yzerman is very intentional in setting an internal cap structure. Seider’s 8.55 million won’t be eclipsed by Edvinsson, likely regardless of this season’s performance. However, a rising salary cap and the value of purchasing UFA years will likely factor in to a significant pay rise for Edvinsson.
Yzerman needs to look at max term for Edvinsson
As long as Edvinsson is healthy this year, his minutes as well as his scoring should see an increase. The 6’6” defender continues to grow his overall game in every area of the ice. With all that in mind, it shouldn’t be out of the question to see a deal in the realm of 7.7 to 8 million dollars for seven years.
While that will significantly deplete that 10 million that will be freed up with departing veterans, it is an important investment in the team. A bridge deal of any kind would almost certainly see a higher demand in one or two years. There is little question regarding Edvinsson’s significance in Detroit’s rebuild.
The negotiations with Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond set the parameters for internal salaries. Simon Edvinsson is the next key piece of Detroit’s core, and hopefully Yzerman is ready to get a deal done. This is just one more important part of the coming season, and could be an unwelcome distraction if it’s not handled properly.
I didn’t realize Eddy was coming up on a new contract. Succinctly put, he & Mo Sides are the twin towers that we desperately need to retain for as long as possible. Eddy may not ‘break out’ this year, he’s going to be a solid D-dude who’s going to grow his game and tool-kit, we saw it with several players (BearGrin definitely showed a higher ceiling…), and there’s little doubt that, absent injury, the kid’s going to be a good one. We are still desperate for 1 more stud D (yes, we’re desperate for a stud winger….). The problem is, asking prices seems to be adjusted to such a poin as to attempt to fleece The Captain.
We have some assets that can help make a strong move, but care needs to be given not to sell the farm for short-term gain… gotta play the long-game here and retain & promote the kids. Keeping the pipeline flowing is crucial.
Yeah, it flies by sometimes. Everyone on the D expires this year except for Seider, Johansson and Lagesson. (Of players already slated for Detroit of course). They absolutely need a top 4 Dman. Prices are high for sure. Was hard to see Dobson go to Montreal and Hague go to Nashville. (Miller to Carolina too). I’m way more concerned about filling the blue line than a top 6 winger. Eddy’s underlying numbers already look pretty good for where he’s at. Even a modest step forward should see Yzerman lock him down long term. The fiasco with Seider and Raymond was way too drawn out.