Team: 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 24, 2019

Published: Jan. 24, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

If the Wings get the 1st or 2nd overall pick, I think that they should go for it in 19-20. Kenny said he wants to compete in 19-20 which could be perfect if you bring in Quenneville as coach.
I was honestly surprised to see this team fit under the cap after I was writing it on paper but I think it looks really good. I know the positions and such could probably look a little different but at its core I think this team can compete.

TRADES:

The Nyquist trade I think can work with any team that's competing right now (with salary retained of course).

The Vanek trade can really be to any competitor who wants him but it's not essential that he gets traded.

The Daley trade could work at the deadline because there aren't a ton of defensemen with term on the market. I don't think it's good to trade away such an important piece of the locker room but for the sake of cap space and space on the blueline he draws the short straw.

The Trouba trade is the big one. Now I don't know what the full value might be for a Trouba trade but I think that Mantha, Saarijarvi and the 1st are a must. I honestly don't know if that's enough or if more should be added so I added Glendening because I know how highly he's valued by playoff teams. Let me know your thoughts on the Trouba trade.

SIGNINGS:

The Stone signing is probably the most important. I took this idea from Max Bultman's piece on the Athletic (I highly recommend getting a subscription) but Stone is super strong defensively and still puts up 60-75 points a season. I think the money is fair for his age and value but could be higher or lower.

Whether or not we trade Jimmy at the deadline I think it's important to bring him back especially because none of the goalie prospects are close to ready. I think 5mil over two years is a decent offer from Detroit but I think he could get more term elsewhere if he wanted to. I guarantee that his preference would be to come back to Detroit now that they're competing though.

I don't think we should trade Jensen at the deadline. No amount of middle tier draft picks come close to matching Jensen's value on the ice. I think he's earned an extension in Detroit.

Obviously Toronto won't be able to keep Gardiner without him taking a pay cut so I think he could be a good signing for Detroit. He's not as expensive as Karlsson but can still put up points. I think that the only problem with signing Gardiner (as well as trading Daley and buying out Ericsson) is that the blueline is filled with offensive-minded d-men and not enough stay at home d-men. I think the team looks good but could struggle defensively. I definitely think the money is fair considering that John Carlson makes 8mil per season.

If you haven't already heard, Datsyuk's agent said that he could come back to the NHL next season. I think his preference would be Detroit so why should we stop him? Even though he's hitting 40, I think he can provide so much value to the young players and to a playoff contender. How fitting would it be for him to come back to Detroit and win a Stanley Cup? Then he could retire for real.

As always, this is completely hypothetical but hopefully realistic. I love hearing ideas from other Detroit fans so give me your thoughts. Also, if there's a Winnipeg fan who might know the value of Trouba then please let me know.

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