Team: 2021-22 Detroit Red Wings

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 16, 2021

Published: Apr. 16, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

So I will explain exactly why I did what I did for a lot of the moves I think may be made.

I predict the Wings will not protect Svechnikov in the upcoming expansion draft and the Kraken will take a chance on him.

When it comes to team building I think Yzerman has done a really good job building the right side of our defensive core. However, I think the left side could still use some work. I think in this upcoming draft depending on availability and board position Yzerman will target one of Owen Power, Luke Hughes, Simon Edvinsson, or Carson Lambos. Brandt Clarke could be an option as well, however, he is a right handed shot so I see him being a last resort. Personally, I like Power the best simply because I attend the University of Michigan and I feel like he could turn out to be Hedman-like player. I think we would need to get lucky and get into the top 3 picks at least to land Power but I would be happy with any of the 4 defenseman depending on where we end up drafting.

Jesper Wallstedt would come from a trade with the Canucks which I explained more in depth below. The trade could be modified a lot, however, I think the basic premise, the Canucks' 2021 1st and Erikssonfor the Capitals' 2021 1st would benefit both teams tremendously.

As for Mike Rielly, I don't believe it is likely Yzerman will commit to a legit top-4 defender long term just yet. The only one that really stood out to me this year anyways was Montour but I imagine other teams are more willing to over pay and Detroit doesn't need to take on an overpriced contract when they aren't ready to compete. Mike Rielly could be a guy to look at because he is a left handed shot who skates well and would complement the big bodied Seider. A 2 year deal seems fair because it leaves a lot of wiggle room to potentially resign or even trade at the deadline this year or the next.

Since Bernier first took the crease in Detroit he has been tremendous. I think Bernier likes being in Detroit and could potentially resign especially considering they've been playing better the latter half of this season. I don't think the team is in a position to go all in on someone like Dreidger or Anderson either so this would work perfectly. In fact, as long as Bernier keeps up a competitive level of play into his mid/late 30's we could keep him around to teach a young goalie (like Wallstedt) which would make for a sick tandem.

After a bad 19-20 season Erne is really starting to find his footing on the wings. He can play up and down the line up and is an incredibly hard worker. At this point, I see the Wings almost certainly protecting him in the expansion draft and resigning him to a short "prove-it" contract to see if he can continue producing at this pace.

Finally, I think there is a likely chance Glendening resigns in Detroit simply because he is a Michigan boy at heart. I also think he is one of the most important players in the locker room as well as one of the hardest workers on the team. Keeping him around on a 2 or 3 year contract could be worth it especially considering we have so many young players who need to be mentored.

Let me know if there's anything in particular you like or dislike. I appreciate the feedback!