Setting the Stage for a Full Build

Team: 2017-18 Detroit Red Wings

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 12, 2017

Published: Jun. 12, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The theory behind this roster (for the start of the 2017-18 season) is to set the stage for a 3-4 year rebuild. Moving short to medium term assets for pieces that might be able to assist us in the long term. Here's my breakdown:

Firstly, Helm gets taken by Vegas in the expansion draft. Z, Nielsen, Tatar, Nyquist, Mantha, AA, Sheahan all protected up front. Green, Ouellet & Dekeyser protected on the back end.

I'll put a disclaimer here: All trades are purely conceptual. There's a lot of leeway for finding the perfect trade and balancing the values, but the concepts for who's going and what the return might look like is there.

First is moving Green for a long term asset, like a pick. He's on a one year contract and with retained salary he could be as cheap as $3M. He should bring in some serious value for the Wings and be very attractive for a contending team with a need for a player like Green. I'd prefer to move him before the start of the season, but he could be a very valuable piece at the deadline if we can't move him until then.

Next is moving Nyquist. He's a top 6 winger with two years on his contract and the potential to be a mainstay on a team for plenty of years. A team with a need for more scoring depth is where a trade like this fits best. Getting a defensive prospect and decent pick back is around the value I'd be looking for, so Fleury and a 2nd is where I landed. Given the low value for rental wingers like Vanek at the 2016 trade deadline, it's probably best to move Nyquist in the offseason.

Moving Howard's cap hit ($4M after a bit of salary retained) is pretty key for avoiding a cap crunch in 2018 so we can give Larkin, Mantha and Mrazek the contracts that we want. Getting some long term assets for a goalie with 2 years left is nice but I assumed we wouldn't get that much in return.

To fill the roster I added UFAs Thomas Vanek, PA Parenteau and Daniel Winnik as theoretical depth players the Wings could use. Signing players like these then flipping them for picks at the 2018 trade deadline. This allows our young players and prospects to get some ice time towards the end of the year as well as gives us more picks to work with in 2018. It doesn't have to be these 3 forwards but the idea is to get guys you can flip at the deadline.

1.

2.

3.

4.