Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has a full plate this summer. Plain and simple, the 2025 Offseason is the most important summer of Yzerman’s career since his homecoming to the Motor City. The entire NHL must chase the Florida Panthers (and Edmonton Oilers, to a lesser degree) in the foreseeable future. There’s a wide gap between the Cats and the Wings. Yzerman’s task is to start narrowing the chasm.
Summer challenge No. 1: The Atlantic Division is unforgiving
The Red Wing’s future is on display in Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Both players have become the face of the rebuild. Both players need a lot more support.
For the sixth straight year, The Atlantic Division was represented in the Stanley Cup Finals. For the sixth straight year, a team in Florida held that honor. For the fourth time, a Florida based team lifted the cup.
The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning pose a daunting regular season challenge. Add to that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the top three playoff spots are gone. The rebuild is a battle for the wildcard spot.
Challenge No. 2: The PK is worse than you thought
Trevor Neufeld uncovered the following stat: Detroit, which had the worst full season penalty killing rate in the last 42 years (70.1%), might take a flier. The numbers, frankly, are disturbing.
For a team to have one of the top power plays in the league, the PK stat is horrendous. The goaltending cannot account for the porous defense. Moritz Seider needs a linemate. Nicolas Hague could be the right fit.
Summer challenge No. 3: Trades and free agents
The Las Vegas Golden Knights have held discussion regarding Nicolas Hague. The 6’6” defenseman is an RFA at 26 years old. His previous contract was just under 2.3 million dollars AAV. This is a deal Detroit has the ability to make.
While names like Bowen Byram and K’Andre Miller are in the rumor mill, the acquisition cost and amount of interest could be a hindrance. GM Steve Yzerman can’t afford to get into a losing battle. Picking the battle is as important as choosing the player.
Detroit has cap space, but are hesitant to part with assets like first round picks or top prospects. Other teams who are just filling out rosters are far more competitive with those pieces. Getting into those bidding wars can be a loss of time and missed opportunities.
This summer should be an “all in” approach to desperately needed defensive upgrade. Find the right player, put together the right package. The Jacob Trouba fiasco wasted too much time and ended in a lot of frustration.
UFA candidate: Nikolaj Ehlers
A top six winger to stabilize Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond is also non optional. Vladimir Tarasenko was supposed to fit the bill last year. It did not go as planned. Tarasenko ended up seeing time in the bottom six.
Nikolaj Ehlers is a strong option to step into that role. There were several rumored trade scenarios to acquire Ehlers last year. With a thin free agent market this summer, this is a player Detroit could be able to sign.
This is another scenario where the negotiations have to be strong and concise. Pitch the linemates, get the salary right, and register the deal by July 2nd. In reality, it may not be quite that simple. The bidding may be going up, Yzerman needs to be aggressive.
Out with some picks, in with the Nicks
This year, before Detroit’s appointed first round spot, I’d like to hear an announcement. “We have a trade to announce”. Whatever comes next needs to address needs for 2025/2026 an into the next six seasons.
Detroit has multiple promising prospects in the system. There is finally some development in the later round picks. This should be a big year for players in the AHL to have a callup and audition. The compacted schedule due to an Olympic break will see a lot of extra movement.
That is exciting, but Detroit needs at least two strong additions who are NHL ready. Obtaining Hague and Ehlers can solve multiple issues. The Atlantic Division is a tall task for a rebuilding team. Fans are running out of patience.
