This is the first time Detroit has looked even half like a playoff team in a while

And then how do you plan on resigning Raymond berggeren and seider next year?

Hard time believing Yzerman would spend to the Cap - We have to sign Seider, Raymond, Rasmussen and Berggren in the 2024 offseason. That's a lot of Cap space needed. And somebody has to replace Perron + We have to make the roster better every season - That will not happen when we're Cap strapped.

I don't think it's worth to give 4th liners like Hathaway & Bjugstad over 4M when Söderblom & Veleno are extras. They need to get ice time to continue their development. And where does Kasper, Mazur, Edvinsson fit in when their ready? And Wings are in no position to give up those kinds of assets for rentals. Sorry about the rant, but we can't rush the rebuild.

Lindstrom is going back to Sweden so he won't be resigning Detroit and Mastrosimone has already said he won't be signing with Detroit. I'm not sure why you give up a 2nd for Patera when Detroit could just sign a UFA. Both Ottawa and Calgary reject those trades, but the Hanifin trade makes no sense for Detroit. You're giving up a 1st and a 20goal scorer another LHD and thats Detroit doesn't need.

May we could join Toronto in making the 2nd round in over a decade if Yzerman went this route!

Mastro is gone. Lindstrom going to Sweden, as is Pontus. No to pysyk, Bert road already travelled and that’s less than he was offered, he cares about term.

Not trading that high of a pick for a goalie with 2 NHL games. Don’t mind Cat trade but Zadina isn’t the ask they will have. NO MORE LHD! Not wasting more assets on a position of strength when other areas need as much help as they do.

Detroit will keep their cap, and use it to re-sign the kids before going out and committing long term to UFAs and trades.

Edvinsson is going to make this team a few weeks after he gets back from injury.
Kasper probably makes this team.
Mazur may pull a Soderblom.

I know, but I was more wondering what this Creator is thinking.

He's preparing for the 2028 draft, of course.

https://forums.hfboards.com/threads/2028-nhl-draft-prospects.2913436/

Too early. I’d say wait another year. Another year of development, another good pick in 2024, then start 2025.

Thanks for feedback and for help on a few guys who have indicated they won’t sign. I thought the title was clear but I guess not. This is an exercise to see what the team would look like they spent to the the cap (Spend It All). Obviously not the play at this point in the rebuild. But fun to think about ahead of 7/1.

I think it depends. I don't think you spend big, but make a swing at a guy like Debrincat or Konecny to help the scoring troubles. Then run it with mostly the same team and any prospects who surprise out of camp (hopefully Kasper or Mazur). Don't intentionally try to be bad, just continue the slow gradual progression towards getting better, then if we surpass expectations go big the following year

no thanks

Honestly I’d rather Detroit sign a cheap stop gap at center and let kasper get a half a year to a year in the minors. Maybe someone like monahan who you know will get hurt so have him start and then bring in kasper to replace him when he gets injured.

Kasper is ready to make the NHL if you ask me. Dude will add so much physicality that we're missing.
Right now, the physical pieces we have are Rasmussen and Ben Chiarot.
Rasmussen is great, but he's only one guy. Chiarot isn't even usable half the time.

This team should not have high expectations anyways, so give this kid as many minutes as possible on like the 2nd line. If he falls flat, sure send him to the minors as GRG 1C -- maybe he can work on his offensive game. But I think Detroit should try him out at first.

That’s exactly why I’d rather see him in the AHL. Unless he is fat and away the best number 2 center on the team I’d rather see him get number 1 minutes in the AHL than 3rd or 4th in the NHL since I don’t think he is better than Copp this year (yet) if he proves everyone wrong in camp awesome that’s a great problem to have. I just want to have a contingency.

What is the ask on the Cat trade in your mind? Is it Beggeren? If so, do the picks change?

Well if he's not able to get minutes, of course. But that's I think where we differ; I think he'll definitely become 2C. Despite his bad faceoffs, he looked great in his Toronto debut. Coulda (and probably woulda if he wasn't playing on a broken kneecap) had a goal or two if Samsonov didn't make some phenomenal stops.

Have to keep improving.

Ideally, Berggren is the main piece.

Yes, certainly past tank period, but may be another year before Kasper, Edvinsson, etc take major roles.

I think they should add only young guys with term. For instance, only add Hanifin if he is extending.

It makes sense in the scenario (trying to make the best team this year spending to the cap).

Doesn’t matter. My goal in the description was to get feedback on the trades and UFA #s. You mentioned Ottawa and Calgary are both rejected. Thanks for providing that. How far off? Would Calgary require a 2nd high pick or a different LD in return? Wallinder?

They would want Berggren as he would be a dip in production from Cat, but still a second year player that probably improves from a great rookie season. They save money and get immediate production, while also getting a guy with a bunch of team controlled years. Second would be Kubalik as he is a cheap 20G 40PT guy who is 26, but has more inconsistencies. Could be just immediate help, or a guy who gets a slight bump if he does well (WC he was a monster).

Depending on who the player is, the pick changes. Berggren would act as a 1st since he has only improved since being taken where he was. A 2nd and small piece would accompany him. Kubalik at MAX is a 2nd at the TDL, so the NYI would be involved and possibly another bigger third piece (depending on OTT wanting a pick to flip, a depth piece, another prospect, etc.).

Thanks super helpful