I think I'd rather sign UFA Tomas Hertl. I don't know if he'd have any interest in signing with the Red Wings though.

I'm a big fan of the Copp signing (it helps that he's local), and Rodrigues is a good target. Not sure if Lindholm is the best option just because of the term he'd demand, but I like the McNabb add. Hagg is the only one I fully disagree with, but that's only because I think re-signing Staal for only one more year would be a better idea. It also gives the young guns a better chance to slot in for the coming years with short-term contracts being given out to veterans. Overall, I like it!

Definitely need to target one of Hertl, Trochek, or Copp for 2C. Copp has the most ties to the area but Hertl is the highest end of the 3. Lindholm would be a great addition also and McNabb as a stopgap. Good direction, just gotta trust in Steve.

If Leddy is traded away at the deadline then Yzerman absolutely has to replace him with someone capable of running the 2nd PP. If that isn't done then the only available option left is Hronek and we all saw what a disaster that was last season!

I don't know who's available for that job but someone like Gostisbehere could be a fit if Arizona wants to part with him.

Detroit also needs a really good shutdown defenseman on the left side. I'd like to pry away Marcus Pettersson from Pittsburgh. He's been doing great this year and is overpaid enough that we might get him on the cheap.

The third spot can be fought over (or shared 50/50) by Albert Johansson and Edvin Simonsson with Oesterle being #7.

I would also rather see Hertl as a 2C if possible and Copp as an alternative if we can't get Hertl. In fact I wouldn't mind going after both of them!

I also want to see Theodor Niederbach signed so that he can get a year in the AHL before becoming ready for the Wings and I definitely want to see Jonatan Berggren up next year.

As a Winnipeg fan it pained me to let Copp walk but I agree, a local guy who probably has a lot of interest in playing for the Wings! Now I'm mad at myself, I had Staal signed initially at 1x$1.5 but changed him out for Hagg at the last second to continue with the Swede trend. I think Staal is a much better option like you mentioned. I didn't want to sign too many LHD for term for that reason as well, Detroit's loaded with prospects at LHD and I could see them making an impact sooner rather than later!