Red Wings Have 3 Easy Extension Candidates

The Detroit Red Wings are going to have to make some decisions on their pending UFAs after the season as there are eight on the roster. Some are more impactful than others, but the team isn't going to keep all of them. If they had to choose, there are three players that would not only make the most sense to extend, but will continue to contribute the most.

Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane has been very good for the Red Wings this season in giving them exactly what the team needs, extra scoring and another clutch player. Since signing with Detroit and getting in the lineup, he has 20 goals and 47 points in 49 games. He gives the Red Wings another go-to option in the top-six and he is a big reason why the team is potentially one win away from getting back into the playoffs. Kane is a veteran, but he isn't too old yet. He showed interest in re-signing with the Red Wings, but might have changed his mind and opened himself up to the possibility of signing somewhere else in the offseason. Detroit has a lot of money to spend and can definitely afford and use him.

Shayne Gostisbehere

Shayne Gostisbehere has come into Detroit and performed as advertised. The same can't be said for all of the offseason acquisitions. He was brought in to help push the offense forward, and has done just that, scoring 10 goals and 54 points in 80 games. Gostisbehere has also added 29 points on the power play and made that group a real threat to score. By having him on the top unit, it has allowed Moritz Seider to develop with less pressure. Gostisbehere has been worth every dollar and should be brought back in the same role for at least a few more years to do what he's best at.

Daniel Sprong

Daniel Sprong has produced at a much higher rate than expected for consecutive seasons now, scoring 17+ goals and 41+ points last season and this season. He has done so averaging around 12 minutes of ice time per game as well. Players in his role typically produce at half the rate he does and he hasn't been compensated for it yet. The Red Wings have the money and have spots in their lineup, just maybe not much room for him to play a higher role. Seeing that Sprong performs like he does on the fourth line with minimal ice time, it's difficult for teams to take him out of that role. Detroit has a very productive bottom-six player that they shouldn't let go of.