Offseason Review: Detroit Red Wings

Now that the dust has settled on a wild NHL offseason, let's take a look at how each team did in regards to drafting and free-agent signings. Today, we'll look at the Detroit Red Wings.

What a summer for Steve Yzerman. Once again proving why he's one of the best in the league, the Red Wings GM kept the important pieces on his team while going out and acquiring a few more that no one even thought were available. He continues to draft exceptionally well and is making the most of his team's rebuild status in order to craft something truly exceptional in Detroit. The Wings have compiled one of the best young forward groups around, with the core pieces only just entering their prime as this team starts to come together. While Detroit continue to wait for Fillip Zadina and Joey Veleno to break out as elite players, they have a crop of exciting young talent brewing in the AHL. All arrows up in Michigan, let's see how they did this summer.

Free Agency:

This year's free agency was more about who stuck around than who was brought in, minus a few notable exceptions. Staying with the Wings are Marc Staal, Calvin Pickard, Sam Gagner, Adam Erne, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Jakub Vrana. The Wings also extended youngsters Michael Rasmussen, Gustav Lindstrom, Taro Hirose, and Chase Pearson, as well as veteran 7th Dman Brian Lashoff. Yzerman's real work was done through trades. He sent Richard Panik and a 2021 2nd round pick to the Islanders for Nick Leddy, then somehow got first dibs with Carolina on Alex Nedeljkovic, the Canes' star rookie netminder from last season. Detroit picked him up in exchange for Jonathan Bernier and a 3rd round pick. Bernier, who was set to hit the free-agent market this summer anyway, wound up signing in New Jersey. Detroit is now icing a tandem of Nedeljkovic and Greiss, a much stronger duo than anything they've had in recent years. To follow that up, Detroit traded a 2022 6th round pick to Tampa Bay for Mitchell Stephens, who cost the Lightning a second-rounder to draft him in 2015. Stephens projects as a strong right-shot 3C but has been logjammed behind Tampa's depth at forward. No such issues in Detroit.

The Red Wings did do a bit of shopping in the free-agent market. They picked up Ryan Murphy for one year, and Jordan Oesterle for two years, shoring up their defence while players like Moritz Seider percolate in the minors. Their biggest move was adding Hawks' star rookie Pius Suter on a two-year deal. Suter is an undrafted centre who had a breakout season with the Hawks. Apparently, the Chicago weren't prepared to pay the kid with all the money they threw around this summer, and Detroit was more than happy to oblige.

Grade: A-; Detroit didn't go after the big-name free agents this summer, but the players they got were some of the best young NHLers to move rosters anywhere in the league. Adding Nedeljkovic, Leddy, and Suter to a lineup already blossoming with talent was just another dash of the Yzerman magic we've seen for years.

Draft:

Detroit had two picks in the first round this year, one of which they traded, but we'll start with their draft choice at 6th overall: Simon Edvinsson. Edvinsson is a massive 6'5" left-shot defender from Onsala, Sweden. While Edvinsson immediately stands out on the ice due to his size, what stands out about his play is how effortlessly he skates for such a big player. He moves with efficiency and smoothness and is able to capably handle the puck, which gives him the option to jump in as a puck-carrier while also playing an adept shutdown game. Think Colton Parayko with softer hands. His energy from game to game is still an issue, but this kid projects to be an excellent player. 

The Wings weren't due to pick again until 23rd overall, but they worked out a trade with Dallas which earned them the 15th overall pick, in exchange for picks 23, 48, and 138 later in the Draft. At 15th, the Wings picked Sebastian Cossa. Another big player standing 6'6", except Cossa is a goaltender. A good one at that, finishing with only one regulation loss out of his 19 starts with the Edmonton Oil Kings last season. Cossa recovers very quickly for his size, allowing him to stop multiple shots in a quick sequence. His positioning is solid, and he gives up very few rebounds. Cossa is an elite example of the "modern" NHL goaltender and a great pickup for Detroit.

At 36th overall, the Wings selected Shai Buium, another left-shot defenceman whose shifty skating ability allows him to deftly maneuver around opponents and find lanes to relieve pressure. It also makes him a threat on offence, a skill set he will break out from time to time. At 70th overall, the Wings took Carter Mazur, a 6'0" LW and Detroit native who scored 20 goals and 44 points as captain of the USHL's Tri-City Storm last season. He will play this year for the University of Denver.

Grade: A+; A fantastic draft for the Red Wings. They now have prospects aplenty at all three major positions, and look ready to become a playoff and Cup contending team in no time at all.

Overall grade: A; This was an offseason where Steve Yzerman really showed his prowess as a GM. Trades and signings were made, all of which made this team undeniably better than it was last season, and not just for this year, but for many years to come. This team is young, extremely talented, and stocked with potential. The Red Wings are coming NHL. Brace yourselves.

What do you think of the Red Wings' moves this offseason?

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports