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New York Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Can Red Wings find missing piece on defense with pick No. 13 in NHL Draft?
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Since Steve Yzerman took over as general manager of the Red Wings back in 2019, Detroit hasn't been shy about stockpiling defensemen through the draft. Yzerman used his first pick as GM (No. 6 in 2019) to select Moritz Seider, who quickly became a foundational piece of the Red Wings' blue line. Two years later, he used the No. 6 pick in 2021 on Simon Edvinsson, who has joined Seider as a top-four staple for the long-term future. In 2023, Detroit grabbed slick Swede Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who projects to run the team's top power play in the future. Yzerman's Red Wings have also used a whopping six second-round picks on defensemen since 2019, including Albert Johansson, who turned himself into a nightly regular this past season. Advertisement It's been a lot of draft capital, and in a couple of years, it looks entirely possible that Detroit could have a true homegrown blue line to show for it. Detroit has a pair of true two-way pillars in Seider and Edvinsson. It likely has its power-play quarterback in Sandin-Pellikka. It also has the potential for depth, headlined by Johansson at the NHL level and with prospects Shai Buium, William Wallinder and Anton Johansson all candidates to become regulars someday. But even projecting down the line, there may still be a missing piece: one more true stopper who projects to play tough minutes in that top four — whether pairing with Seider or slotting in as a physical, defensive piece who enables Sandin-Pellikka to maximize his talents. And as the 2025 NHL Draft creeps ever closer, Detroit's 13th pick on June 27 may just present the opportunity to find that piece — if a few things break the right way. The draft's top prospect, lefty Matthew Schaefer, will be long gone by 13. The safe bet is that WHL righty Radim Mrtka, who measured in just under 6-foot-6 at the combine, will be gone too. After that, though, it's a little more open-ended. The best fit might be Kashawn Aitcheson, a lefty out of OHL Barrie who plays with a throwback level of snarl. Aitcheson measured in at 6-foot-1 1/2 at the combine, and while his thundering hits are certainly a hallmark of his game, he also has plenty of offense, scoring 26 goals this season while putting up nearly a point per game. Compilation of hits (and a couple fights) of dman Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts during his #NHLDraft year. Kash is a missile and throws bone crushing hits, as seen in the clips. The physical aspect of his game makes him an extremely attractive prospect. #2025NHLDraft — Ryan McArthur (@ryanpmcarthur) May 22, 2025 Aitcheson told me he's still working on the balance of when to get aggressive and make those big hits (or jump into the rush), and when to hold off, which will be part of his maturation process, but the fact he's so capable of doing both is highly appealing. He also has an impressive feel for the moment — he had two goals (including the winner) and an assist in Barrie's Game 7 win over Kingston in this year's OHL playoffs and led all OHL defenseman with six winning goals in the regular season. Advertisement 'I think it's just the bigger the game, the bigger the moment, I think the bigger player I get,' Aitcheson told me in Buffalo. 'That's just kind of how it's always been.' Put all those elements together — the physicality, the offense, the feel for the moment and the solid size in a mobile defender — and it's easy to get excited. That said, while Aitcheson plays like the kind of player the Red Wings have coveted, it was interesting to learn he hadn't met with Detroit when we spoke midweek in Buffalo and wasn't scheduled to. That doesn't mean everything, but there are also two potential destinations for him right in front of Detroit's spot, with Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers picking 11 and 12. That makes his path to Detroit look a bit less likely. Another strong candidate would be WHL lefty Jackson Smith, who certainly fits the long, rangy profile Detroit has targeted in its defensemen. Smith measured in at 6-foot-4, 199 pounds and looks every bit of it. He's also a good skater, has offense in his game and is easy to see becoming a two-way blueliner with serious impact on the transition game. One thing I find interesting about Smith after speaking with his coaches in Tri-City is that he's been used differently for Team Canada than he has with his junior club. Coming up, he was an offensive-minded player, and accordingly, he's played more of an offensive role for his WHL team — where his 54 points in 68 games were more than double Tri-City's next-highest-scoring defender. But the national team leaned on him to use his tools more as a defensive stopper. 'I can kind of just switch my mindset to 'just got to shut down these guys,'' Smith said. 'Like, don't worry about the other side of the puck, just shut them down.' That mindset shift entails being 'a pest in the D-zone, making simple plays, just keeping it simple, not trying to do too much,' he said, and right now, he does take some risks that his future NHL team will want to iron out as he develops. Advertisement Smith also acknowledged the physical side of the game can come and go for him, and feels it's something he needs to bring back to his game more in WHL play. 'But then when I go to Team Canada events I do again, so I think it's just a bit more of a mentality for me, where you need to keep on being physical.' But while he's still on the raw side, the tools are there if he's able to roll it into one complete package: The offense that can come from his skill and skating and the physical tools to shut down transition offense. If he can do that, and add in more of the physical dimension, the recipe for a two-way, top-four defender is there. He also has valuable versatility in being able to play both sides of the ice, growing up playing the right side and doing so again at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. 'I can play either side, I'm very comfortable with both,' Smith said. 'Gotten a little bit more comfortable on the left side these past two years, but you throw me on the right side, I'll do the same thing.' As with Aitcheson, there's a chance Smith could get scooped up just before Detroit goes on the clock. Big, toolsy defenseman tend to go early in drafts, and both qualify. But if that happens — which would likely mean four defensemen going in the top 12 — that's the path for a top winger prospect such as Victor Eklund to still be on the board for the Red Wings at 13. Detroit certainly could use another scoring winger in its system, and there are a handful they met with at the combine who could fit. If they end up really wanting a 'D,' though, there are a few more names to know. Kitchener LHD Cam Reid isn't as big as the defensemen Detroit usually targets high in the draft — and the Red Wings were one of two teams he didn't interview with in Buffalo — but he's an excellent skater who competes and plays a smart game. It's not too hard to imagine him still finding a way to eat minutes in the NHL, even as a smaller player. Advertisement 'It's no secret, I'm not the tallest guy on the ice, but that doesn't mean I can't have an impact like I'm tall out there,' Reid said. 'I just kind of think of it (as) just get in the face of guys, and just try to be a guy that's hard to play against. That's all I really care about.' There are also a couple of bigger bodies in righties Logan Hensler (NCAA Wisconsin) and Blake Fiddler (WHL Edmonton), though the value gets more debatable the further you go down the list. The importance of a strong, well-rounded blue line is hammered home every time you watch a Stanley Cup playoff game. It's hard to win at any meaningful level without one. But if Aitcheson and Smith end up going just before Detroit picks, the Red Wings may have to weigh that against their need for more offensive pop in their forward pipeline. (Photo of Moritz Seider and Brogan Rafferty: Kyle Ross / Imagn Images)
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
The 9 most intriguing teams of NHL free agency: What I heard from a buzzy draft combine
BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you stepped into Panorama on Seven at any point last week, you could have taken in quite the scene. In addition to their advertised 'remarkable views of the downtown skyline and stunning sunsets,' the small hotel restaurant next to KeyBank Center, the Sabres' arena, was full at every table with multiple people from the hockey world. Advertisement Around a corner, CAA super agent Pat Brisson lunched with NHL general managers, one after another. At the next table, top executives from the Toronto Maple Leafs dined with a group of agents — preparing for one of the busier offseasons in the league — as Detroit's Steve Yzerman ambled by and said hello. Down the hall, Tampa Bay's Julian BriseBois, Utah's Bill Armstrong and other GMs linked up for quiet conversations away from prying media eyes. Hours later, a whole new group of hockey folks would filter in for post-dinner drinks, new conversations and negotiations. The NHL always descends on Buffalo at this time of year for the scouting combine, where the top prospects are tested and interviewed in advance of the entry draft. But this year, with no in-person draft, a weak free-agent class and most teams swimming in cap space, the scene felt different. Many front offices and agencies flew into town earlier and stayed longer, and their agendas were more harried than ever. After several long days at Panorama, everyone had tried the turkey BLT — sometimes more than once. As one high-profile agent said of the restaurant on Day 4, around the halfway point of the combine's proceedings, 'I feel like I f—ing live here.' For a few days, so did The Athletic. (The sandwich is pretty good.) Based on what we learned from talking to multiple executives and player agents in Buffalo, here are the nine NHL teams set to have the most intriguing offseasons, plus a quick CBA update, as we sit less than three weeks out from a draft and a free agency period that should be full of fireworks. One question I tried to pose to everyone I chatted with over the past week: Who is going to have the most interesting offseason? Several folks pointed to Anaheim and GM Pat Verbeek wanting to make a big move or two to finally push the young club forward after seven consecutive years out of the playoffs. Advertisement The Ducks took a jump from 59 points to 80 this past season, and some of their kids (e.g. Leo Carlsson) seemed to figure things out more as the year went on. They appear set in goal with Lukáš Dostál — a restricted free agent who needs a new contract — and have some trade chips at the position (John Gibson). The big question is, what do they do with as much as $25 million in cap space after signing their RFAs? Some of the chatter is that they'll potentially be the high bidder for Mitch Marner, with an unheard-of average annual value north of the $14 million that the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl currently makes as the NHL's highest-paid player. Understandably, after an NHL-record 14 straight years out of the playoffs, no one is happy in Buffalo. As such, the combine hosts were the center of a lot of scuttlebutt, with three key players out there in trade rumors. Alex Tuch, coming off a 36-goal season, has one year left before becoming a UFA; if he doesn't want to sign an extension, GM Kevyn Adams likely needs to move him to ensure he doesn't walk for no return. Bowen Byram and J.J. Peterka, meanwhile, are RFAs, and both contract negotiations could be contentious given the Sabres' struggles. Just don't expect them to sign offer sheets. Buffalo has enough cap space to match any outside offer, and more draft picks aren't what the team is after as it tries to climb back to respectability. But Adams needs to handle these three situations the right way or risk more backsteps. The Hurricanes had a 99-point season, making it to the conference finals, and yet you get the sense no one is satisfied in Raleigh. They're in Cup-or-bust mode, with $28 million in cap space and a green light from ownership to spend. It'll be interesting to see how GM Eric Tulsky navigates that freedom. Advertisement The Hurricanes are obviously going to be in the Marner sweepstakes, as adding a superstar is their top need and they were pushing hard for him at the deadline. But they'll also have a hole for a top-four defenseman, given Dmitry Orlov isn't expected back and Brent Burns is a 40-year-old unrestricted free agent. So even though they'll be chasing scoring talent, they have multiple needs and could take a big run at someone such as Aaron Ekblad — the top free-agent defenseman — if he makes it to market. Or they could pursue a trade to upgrade their back end, which was exposed against the Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals. Like a lot of teams, they'll be wrestling with how best to spend a lot of money in an environment without much to spend on. Sorry to disappoint any fans of teams that need a center — which honestly feels like at least half the league right now — but no one I spoke to around the league expects Sam Bennett to be available. He likes playing in Florida too much — and the feeling is mutual. Assuming he takes the old Elbo Room discount to remain a Panther, however, the intrigue will turn to fellow UFAs Ekblad and Brad Marchand. Bennett is likely to still cost, at minimum, $8 million per year, which would leave Florida with $11 million to replace a No. 1 defenseman, a top-nine winger and a backup goalie to get to a full lineup without major subtractions elsewhere. It feels likely that Ekblad, a career Panther, will get the bulk of that. But what if GM Bill Zito decides Marchand is an integral piece after the way he's excelled this postseason? His asking price could top $8 million, even at age 37, and that would make for some real tough decisions in South Florida. Ken Holland was one of the executives front and center at Panorama, including in a meeting with Brisson. It didn't take much imagination to come up with what they were likely talking about, as Brisson represents Vladislav Gavrikov, who the Kings would like to lock up before he makes it to free agency on July 1. Advertisement The trouble is that Holland is not alone in loving the player. Gavrikov posted some of the best defensive numbers of anyone league-wide last season, is only 29 years old, and is coming off a season in which he averaged 23:05 of ice time per game, a career high. And there's no one else like him available this free-agent season. His asking price could top $8.5 million on a max-term deal, a considerable raise over the two-year, $5.875 million deal he is coming off. As one executive said during the week, 'we're all trying to find where the new normal is' with a rapidly rising salary cap, which will hit $113.5 million two seasons from now, a nearly 30 percent jump from 2024-25. Gavrikov could definitely be someone who sets a new bar for a defensive defenseman, given that paradigm shift. What's interesting is the Kings have enough cap room that they can pay that asking price and still go after Marner with a massive Draisaitl-like offer. Which is why we have them as a top candidate to land the soon-to-be ex-Leaf. Everyone expects Holland to be super aggressive in his first year in L.A. There's a reason he turned down the Islanders job to take this one: He's chasing a Cup after being pushed out by the Oilers last summer. Unlike most of the teams on this list, the Rangers are not in a great cap position — especially if you consider the size of the contracts due to RFAs K'Andre Miller and Will Cuylle. On paper, they have around $8 million to spend, which is why the Rangers are likely to be active in the trade market. Veteran Chris Kreider has been on the block for more than six months, but teams are saying New York could also shake up its blue line, with Miller and Carson Soucy potentially available. Artemi Panarin is also entering the final year of his deal, so a decision on an extension will have to be made there at some point, too. Other execs believe GM Chris Drury has one of the toughest tasks in the league in turning around this roster after a disastrous 85-point season and with several key players on the wrong side of 30. Expect some big, unexpected swings in terms of trades and in free agency. Heard around the NHL combine this week: — #NYR among a handful of teams (BUF, UTA, SEA) looking to shake up their roster soon— Shesterkin, Fox and Panarin may be only #NYR untouchables in trade talk— Keep an eye on Vladislav Gavrikov and #NYR if Chris Drury can free up space — Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 7, 2025 The Ducks are one popular pick for 'most likely to be aggressive in free agency.' But Utah is right there, too. The Mammoth looked awfully close to being a playoff team for much of this season, but struggled to score despite a marvelous 90-point year from captain Clayton Keller. Their young core up front is only going to get better, but supporting Keller with better veteran depth will be priority No. 1, especially considering they seem set in goal and, if healthier than this past season, on defense too. Advertisement The Mammoth have 21 NHL players signed (11 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies) and more than $20 million in cap space, so don't be surprised if they're in big on Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and/or any trade targets who can put the puck in the net. They have plenty of picks and one of the league's top prospect pools to move the needle in deals, if necessary. They could be one of the primary teams available to absorb a cap dump from a contending team, especially if it involves a quality forward. Without a first-round pick until 2028 (!) and not much in the prospect pool, it's going to be difficult for GM Brad Treliving to make a huge splash in the trade market. But he needs to find a way to shed some of his bad contracts (Calle Järnkrok, David Kämpf and, maybe, Max Domi) and then spend that windfall into better three-line depth up front. Looking at this free agent class, that's going to be a tough ask. The Leafs would also like to bring in a playmaker on D, but that feels more like a want than a must-have at this point, especially with seven NHL blueliners already signed. More importantly, they would like to upgrade at center, but with Brock Nelson reupped in Colorado and Bennett likely to do the same in Florida, there really aren't many UFA options to pursue. One piece of good news over the past few days is that UFA Max Pacioretty is leaning toward a return after the Leafs expressed considerable interest in keeping him following a terrific postseason, according to a league source. And the Leafs remain confident they will get Matthew Knies inked to a reasonable second contract without any offer-sheet drama. Assuming John Tavares re-signs on a hometown discount (i.e., $5 million or less AAV), Treliving needs to then turn the rest of his $15 million or so cap space into some real help up front or Toronto could take a step back without Marner. Advertisement Would a big run at Marchand make sense, even with his age and sky-high asking price? It certainly looks like a real option, especially considering his ability to rise to the occasion in the playoffs — and the alternatives. There's some debate out there about how aggressively Vegas will pursue Marner in free agency, but put us on the side of having them as one of the favorites. The Golden Knights have been after the Leafs star for a while, including trade talks last summer, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. But, according to league sources, there were also discussions around a Marner-to-Vegas transaction before the trade deadline this year, a move that would have involved the Hurricanes in a three-way deal. Theoretically, the Leafs would have received Mikko Rantanen while the Golden Knights got Marner and sent something to Carolina. It's unclear just how far those talks went, or if Marner was asked to waive his no-movement clause to go to Vegas, but it sounds like what killed the deal was Vegas and Carolina failing to find the right assets to include to get it done — not anything on the Toronto side. (The Hurricanes ended up landing Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks and two third-round picks from Dallas for Rantanen.) The Golden Knights' cap situation this summer is tight. But if they moved someone such as William Karlsson, who has a $5.9 million cap hit for two more years, they could make a competitive Marner bid. And they wouldn't have to worry about giving up those kinds of assets this time around. More than a year away from the pandemic-era CBA expiring, collective bargaining between the NHL and NHLPA appears very close to done. The league and union have done an excellent job of keeping details under wraps, but after poking around at the combine, it certainly sounds like an announcement could come as soon as when the Stanley Cup Final wraps up. Expect the new agreement to bring labor peace until at least 2030 and not involve any massive changes, aside from the fact that there will now be salary cap accounting during the playoffs. How exactly that will work isn't yet known, but here's hoping the sides get it right, as it feels like a difficult thing to finesse given how cap accrual and trade deadline acquisitions work during the season. Advertisement There was, at one point, debate by teams over limiting contract term limits more than the current seven years for outside UFAs and eight for a team's own players. But ultimately, the argument for the status quo won out. It centered on the benefit that small-market teams get from longer deals, something in evidence in the final with Draisaitl and Connor McDavid playing on the tail end of eight-year contracts and making only a combined $21 million for the Oilers. Had the duo only had the option to sign for five or six years out of their entry-level deals, it's fair to say they'd be making a whole lot more right now. If so, who knows whether Edmonton is in this position? (Top photo of Mitch Marner: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Red Wings at NHL Scouting Combine: Wingers who fit Detroit and what they're saying
BUFFALO, N.Y. — When it comes to the NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings have a bit of a type. After six drafts under general manager Steve Yzerman (and five under assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper), that type is easy enough to spot. Detroit likes competitive players with good hockey sense who can play (and succeed) in the hardest areas of the ice, at the hardest time of year. It's a profile you can find in nearly every Red Wings first-round pick under this administration, and when the team drafted Michael Brandsegg-Nygård last year, Draper alluded to it as 'Red Wing DNA.' Advertisement Of course, that preference is not unique. You don't have to watch much playoff hockey to see why those qualities are so coveted around the league. It's one reason Marco Kasper was able to make an impact so quickly for Detroit last year, moving up the lineup because he could play a smart game, with pace, in the hard areas of the ice that complemented its skilled forwards. Marrying that profile, then, with the team's needs in its prospect pipeline is the key to nailing the 13th pick in this month's draft. After picking Kasper and Nate Danielson with top-10 picks in 2022 and 2023, Detroit looks to have a stable future down the middle, and it certainly doesn't need to reach for a center (though if one of this impressive crop of centers were to slip, there'd be nothing wrong with adding another). The needs, though, are more for a skilled winger who still has those underlying core traits (and ideally some size) and a tough, left-shot defenseman with some toughness and upside to round out the future top four. The defense picture in this draft is a major variable in a class headlined by projected top pick Matthew Schaefer. Where the next two or three 'D' go after that could be the question that shapes the top half of the first round. On the wing, though, the picture is a little clearer for who could be in the Red Wings' mix. Here's what stood out after speaking with some of those key candidates this week, all five of whom met with Detroit or planned to at the time I spoke with them in Buffalo. It remains to be seen if Eklund will make it to pick 13. He's a highly talented winger who has proven he can produce against bigger, stronger players, potting 19 goals and 31 points in 42 games in the Allsvenskan. At 18, he was a big part of a Djurgårdens team that earned promotion to the SHL. 'It was incredible,' Eklund said of the experience playing against men last season. 'Kind of nervous in the beginning, you know, but as soon as I started playing (and) getting more confidence, just everything just kept going.' Advertisement He also had a good showing at the World Juniors, scoring nearly a point per game. He's a high-motor goal scorer who can really skate, and that's an appealing skill set. That said, he's also a smaller winger (he measured in at 5 feet 11, 169 pounds Saturday), which factors into the equation for teams picking early. Especially with some bigger-bodied centers and defensemen available, Eklund could still be on the board for Detroit. And if he is, it's easy to see some of that 'Red Wings DNA' in his game, albeit in a smaller body. Eklund's father, Christian Eklund, had a long pro career as a 'grinder,' Eklund said, and taught him to build his game on his competitiveness. It's what Eklund sees as his most important tool, which is saying something when you consider his speed and shot. 'I get energy from him and how much he's working in the corners,' Eklund's teammate Anton Frondell said. 'He's battling a lot against men, and he's mostly winning every battle. Easy for me to play with him.' That motor and physicality are also how he feels he differentiates himself from his older brother, William, a top young playmaker for the San Jose Sharks, whose motor is pretty good in his own right. The size is still a factor, especially for a team that has smaller wingers Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat in the fold. But you have to like Eklund's mindset when it comes to how he'll win battles against bigger players. 'I don't care if they're two meters (tall) … I want to win that puck,' he said. 'And I'm pretty good at winning the puck. So I'll just do what I do best and get under the skin of the opponents and just go 100 percent every time.' He is a right-hand shot — another thing the Red Wings are beginning to have a lot of — and that could be a minor part of Detroit's thought process as well. But he also might just represent the best blend of identity and upside among the wingers potentially available to Detroit. Advertisement Bear would check a lot of those same boxes as a highly skilled winger — he put up 40 goals and 82 points in an injury-shortened 56 games for WHL Everett — who likewise prides himself most on his competitive traits. 'I think I want to be really known as a tenacious guy,' Bear told The Athletic. And he plays like it. 'Want to win every battle,' he said. 'Want to win every shift.' Bear's not the biggest player, either, at 6 feet, but he's willing to throw all of it around. And when you combine that with the skill, it's an appealing package. He's also a left-hand shot, which again isn't the end-all, be-all but could matter down the line when you consider Raymond, DeBrincat, Brandsegg-Nygård and Danielson are all righties. Another lefty high in the lineup besides Kasper and Dylan Larkin could certainly benefit Detroit. The big question around Bear surrounds his health. He missed the end of the season with a partially cut Achilles tendon. The good news is Bear said he has already been back on the ice a handful of times, which is encouraging in his recovery process despite not participating in combine testing. 'It's really good. I just don't want to force anything, doing all the testing, and set me back more,' Bear said. The injury has largely dominated the conversation around Bear, for understandable reasons, but the profile stands out as an obvious fit if Detroit feels comfortable with the medical. Size is not a question with Lakovic. He's a big-time athlete at 6-4, 200 pounds and a fluid skater at that size with good skill and an impressive shot. That's a great tool kit to start from. He used that standout shot to score 27 goals (and put up 58 points) in 47 WHL games this past season. But while he certainly looks the part of a big-bodied top-six scorer, he believes his playmaking is on the same level. Advertisement 'I think I'm very versatile,' he said. 'I think I'm really good at both. Some people might think my scoring is a lot better just off numbers, but I think my playmaking's just as good.' There are some questions, though, about his willingness to make full use of his frame. Lakovic says he's aware of those questions, and though he feels it will come in time, he said it's something he knows will need to improve. 'You watch playoffs, and talent can only take you so far,' Lakovic said. 'I'm trying to add that part of the game. (One) guy I watch is Matthew Knies, you know, the way he competes, and he has a similar frame to me and the way he uses his body, and I know if I add that element, I really do think the sky's the limit.' The Athletic's Corey Pronman sees similarities between Lakovic and Anthony Mantha, which points to the potential ceiling of that skill set but also to some of the consistency and compete-level questions. Lakovic's team context is also worth a mention, as the lefty was part of a Moose Jaw team that went to the Memorial Cup a year ago and remained there as it moved into more of a rebuild this past season. He went from playing a role in the middle six to being 'the guy' this season, which comes with its share of pressure. There's a lot of potential in his tool kit, which certainly can be a separator for him in this range of the draft. But how Detroit feels about those consistency and physicality questions could determine where he fits into the Red Wings' mix. 'I think I'm more than capable of taking over games at certain moments,' he said. 'It's just trying to be more consistent with it.' 'He's a tank.' Why Justin Carbonneau's blend of skill and strength makes him one of the #2025NHLDraft's top power forwards. My feature, with insight and background from those around him: — Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 5, 2025 Carbonneau is a big-time scorer out of the QMJHL. His 46 goals and 89 points were second in the league, which is quite impressive as a draft-eligible, even factoring in that he's a November birthdate playing his third season. He can really shoot it, has slick hands and is a big body on the wing at 6-1 and 205 pounds. That's the recipe for a power winger, and fittingly, he says the foundation of his game comes down to 'being hungry.' Advertisement 'Just always want to be better, want more — want to score more goals, more hits,' he said. 'It's just being hungry on the ice.' Carbonneau's comments on the physical side of the game give off a sort of old-school vibe, too. 'That pain,' he said, 'that feeling of getting hit or throwing a hit is always a good feeling for me.' That's pretty endearing to hear from a young player, and especially a talented scorer. As with Eklund, Carbonneau is a right-hand shot, which may not be ideal balance-wise. But again, that's a secondary factor if Detroit decides he's the player who best blends its preferences. The athletic tools pop, but if there are any points of hesitation on Carbonneau, they largely stem from the relative strength of the QMJHL — which can vary — and in some of the defensive details in his game. Pronman has a below-average grade on his hockey sense, and for a Red Wings team that tends to like responsible, two-way players, that's something to keep in mind. That said, after acknowledging some of the improvements he'll need to make defensively, he chalked up the work ahead mainly to needing to be more patient, rather than a willingness to defend. 'It's just being more consistent in that way. I'm willing to block a shot with my teeth if I have to,' he said. 'I'll go to the dentist if I need to. That's not a problem. It's just being more consistent as an 18-year-old. I'll be better at 20, for sure.' There's a lot to like on the highlight reel for Carbonneau, and if he can find that balance to become a reliable player, there's serious potential. Reschny is technically a center, but as a 5-11 forward who isn't a blazing skater, he could end up on the wing. Regardless, even if he's a bit undersized, the core traits are there as a skilled, smart, competitive forward — and he happens to shoot lefty. Advertisement Reschny certainly helped himself with his finish to the season, particularly his nine goals and 25 points in just 11 WHL playoff games. After putting up 92 points in 62 regular-season contests, that postseason performance was an exclamation point on his draft season. 'I think I just found my stride,' Reschny said. 'By no means was I playing bad or struggling. I think it was just a tough little stretch there in the first half, and I guess after the Top Prospects games and Christmas break, I really started playing good and better and better, and I didn't look back from there on out.' Certainly, his confidence grew from that, and he believes that in the playoffs, he proved he 'can play at the highest level and be a very impactful player.' As for what he notices about his game when he plays more confidently, Reschny said: 'I'm playing fast, I'm playing with that edge. It's pretty cliche for some guys, but I think I play with a bit of pissiness, and I think that plays into my style: playing hard, I'm a centerman, I'm all around the ice. I think when I'm playing that way and I've got that confidence, I'm going, I'm a threat offensively.' (Top photo of Victor Eklund: Bill Wippert / NHLI via Getty Images)
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Red Wings offseason survey results: Fans split on direction under Steve Yzerman
As the Detroit Red Wings get set for what could be their most anticipated offseason yet under general manager Steve Yzerman, the fan base is split right down the middle when it comes to confidence in the team's direction. That's the big takeaway from our offseason fan survey, with nearly 3,000 of you weighing in on Detroit's front office, the team's trajectory and the level of urgency to get back into the playoffs, among other topics. Thanks to everyone who participated — and especially to those who left comments explaining their votes. There's a lot to get to, so let's dive right in. How's this for a split? The optimists have a slight lean here, with 31.2 percent rating their confidence at a 4 or 5. But 29.5 percent of fans gave it a 1 or 2, meaning there are more or less just as many who are worried about the team's trajectory after yet another year outside the playoffs but without an especially high draft pick. Advertisement The plurality of the fan base, though, is right in the middle — perhaps not knowing exactly what to think at this stage, or wanting to withhold judgment. As one respondent noted, 'I voted 3, as they seem to be destined for a long-term stay in the middle of the pack. Hard to feel too excited, but I'm not slamming the panic button, and there's still plenty of youth on the way.' That note on the rising prospects was a theme, with many voters still feeling confident in the 'draft and develop' side of Detroit's approach. That's well-founded, as the Red Wings' Yzerman-era first-round picks who have reached the NHL have been highly successful. That starts with Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, of course, but Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper have now also established themselves as top-half-of-the-lineup players who have shown signs they can drive play. That's a great start. Now, the key will be whether Nate Danielson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Sebastian Cossa can continue that trend. It's not clear whether any of those four will see time with the Red Wings this season, but it's at least possible in each case. None would be expected to be impact players right away, as rookies, but all four have the potential to move the needle as they develop. That's certainly one source of hope. 'Still 4 first-round picks in the system that haven't made the jump (another 1 if you include 2025 draft),' one voter noted. 'Plenty of cap flexibility moving forward. If those picks largely flop and the cap space is used poorly, then I'll lose confidence.' Some fans, though, were not as sold on the prospects as being enough to feel confident. 'The pipeline seems to be filled with lots of depth, but few high-end prospects,' one reader said. 'The team is currently one of the oldest in the league with multiple contracts weighing us down. While the cupboards are full, it feels like we're stuck in the mushy middle.' This question dovetails with the last one, so it's no surprise to see a similar distribution of results. Once again, the most votes were in the middle, with 3 getting a majority of the answers. But interestingly, among those who picked a side, Yzerman's job performance scored a bit more favorably than fans' confidence in the overall direction, with 31.7 percent of voters giving him a 4 or 5 compared to 22.6 percent rating him a 1 or 2. Advertisement That may speak to some fans feeling that Yzerman isn't the main reason for the Red Wings' predicament. 'I think it's always hard to judge a GM performance, especially when (there) are so many impacting situations,' one voter said. 'A GM can only be as good as the the market and the position of the draft; it's the hand you are dealt.' 'People forget how bad the team was and how bare the prospect cupboards were when he started,' another wrote. Still, one of the themes among those who chose to comment was a clear delineation between Detroit's drafting and other means of player acquisition under Yzerman. 'Good drafting, poor signings and trades,' one voter wrote. 'Patience has been an asset for Yzerman in the past, but has his patience allowed other clubs in our division to catch up to us?' another wondered. It won't surprise anyone to hear that the Jake Walman trade got plenty of mentions, but Yzerman's handling of free agency was an especially common point of dissatisfaction. Yzerman and the Red Wings have had some hits in that market over the years, but many of those were on shorter-term deals for players who have already left for elsewhere. Meanwhile, many of the longer-term free agents Detroit has signed have been inconsistent, and in some cases have felt redundant to each other. In Yzerman's defense, some of this is the nature of free agency: the player pool is, by definition, older players who can pick their own destination. Non-playoff teams usually have to overextend themselves (on either dollars or term) to land those players, who also happen to be at risk of decline as they age. If you want to improve via that avenue, those big contracts are the cost of doing business. But part of being a general manager is also knowing when to walk away from such negotiations. And going into an offseason where the Red Wings are expected to be aggressive, it's going to be fascinating to see how Yzerman handles that side of things. Fans still seem to have sympathy for Yzerman's predicament on the whole, but it's fair to say some of their confidence has waned in recent years. No surprise here that McLellan, who turned the Red Wings around after coming in at the end of December last year, gets high marks. There were some who responded with some variation of 'too early to tell,' but nearly 85 percent of voters rated McLellan either a 4 or 5, and when you consider Detroit went 26-18-4 after his arrival (a 95-point pace over a full season), that makes sense. Advertisement Players clearly responded to him — and quickly — which is a great sign. He should have a nice blend of familiarity and fresh-start energy when he gets to training camp this fall. That could be a very good recipe. But we've also seen that NHL teams have become quite fickle with their head coaches in recent years, and winning seems to be the only real antidote. There's no true runaway winner here, and maybe that has to do with the relative similarity of some of the answers. But it certainly feels notable that the 'long-term sustainability' answer got the most votes — and would have still been competitive if you combined the '2026 playoffs at all costs' votes with the 'one more year outside is OK' crowd. 'I care about deep playoff runs more than simply making them,' one voter said. And while the 'at all costs' line probably turned some voters off that option, that shouldn't be mistaken for no sense of urgency, or a lack of frustration with how things have gone recently. That shows up in the lack of support for taking a short-term step back to retool for the longer term, which polled at under 5 percent. 'No reason to ruin the young core to chase the playoffs this year as a non-contender,' one voter said. 'But feels like we're getting passed by other rebuilding teams, so there needs to be a hard assessment of where we really are.' There are certainly some hard-liners — 'Enough is enough,' one fan wrote — but these results indicate this isn't necessarily a make-or-break year for most fans … assuming there is at least progress to point to. 'But just one more year, assuming we have some clear forward momentum,' one voter wrote. 'No more March 15-game losing streaks, no more botching big important late season series against division rivals.' Again, the most common answer was to straddle the line, but there's a clear pull toward the negative side here, outpolling the optimists by a resounding margin of 49 percent to 12 percent. That may be instructive as it pertains to the previous question: if fans don't expect the Red Wings to make the playoffs next year, it makes sense they aren't ready to call it make-or-break. Advertisement The one big caveat here is we're doing this poll before free agency or the bulk of any trade dealings. So what this really tells us is fans' confidence in the roster as currently constructed. That means it's liable to change — and perhaps change significantly — after July 1. Speaking of which … Hardly a shocker that Red Wings fans want their team to be in on the summer's top free agent prize, Mitch Marner. He'd be another smaller winger in a top-six that's already filled with that, but for a 100-point player who also kills penalties, that's a secondary issue. Marner would bring star power and significant playmaking, and do so while also potentially helping the league's worst penalty kill from a year ago. It's not a preference that needs much explaining — though it of course hinges on Marner's interest in coming to Detroit, which is far from a given. And while he would clearly move the needle, it's also fair to point out he doesn't necessarily address the team's stated needs this summer. 'I know Marner will be the sexy pick, but the Wings need to be harder to play against, and (Vladislav) Gavrikov fits the bill,' one voter said. At 27.3 percent of the vote, the Los Angeles Kings defenseman was actually closer to catching Marner in our poll than he was to the third-place finisher, Sam Bennett. That speaks to fans' recognition of the blue line as an area for improvement. 'There are a lot of defenseman prospects coming, but none are ready for this kind of role,' another fan said. And that's true. Top defense prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka has a lot of potential, but his stint in Grand Rapids at the end of the season was a reminder he'll likely need time before being a significant contributor. Other prospects William Wallinder, Shai Buium and Anton Johansson have potential, but are most likely to be solid third-pairing types than top-four staples. Advertisement That leaves room for a big-ticket top-four 'D' addition, whether it's a free agent like Gavrikov or Aaron Ekblad, or a trade target such as the Rangers' K'Andre Miller. I was a little surprised there wasn't more support for Bennett, who plays with an edge and has shown he can score tough goals in big games. But perhaps the cost — after another loud postseason for Bennett — was a factor there. The harsh reality, though, is that Detroit won't get to just pick and choose from this bunch, which represents the top of the free-agent market. Those players are going to have a lot of interest from all over the league. So while the 'other' option in this poll represented less than 4 percent of the vote, it may actually be the most likely outcome. Based on the feedback earlier in the survey, this one was no surprise, with fans most confident in Detroit's drafting. There were some fans, however, who made note that 'Most confident doesn't mean confident,' or put simply, 'Not confident in any.' That surely reflects the frustrations of a fan base that has gone so long without tangible on-ice success to point to. There were also some who drew a distinction between the first-round drafting and in rounds 2-7. But while there have been some players picked in the second round who Detroit is probably kicking itself over (JJ Peterka, Logan Stankoven and Brock Faber top that list), the trend fans are observing is more par for the course. Once you get past round 1, making the NHL at all is generally considered a win, and it can take a long time for those players to develop to that point. Consider that two Red Wings rookies in 2024-25, Albert Johansson (2019 second round) and Elmer Söderblom (2019 sixth round), were part of Yzerman's first draft class and only just now reached the NHL. So while the later-round picks haven't arrived yet, that doesn't mean they won't, with Trey Augustine (2023 second round), Max Plante (2024 second round), Dmitri Buchelnikov (2022 second round) and Anton Johansson (2022 fourth round) among the most intriguing names. That being said, Detroit likely does need one of those players (or a future later-round pick) to really hit it big at some point, even with how well it has done in the first round. Being just 'par for the course' in rounds 2-7 could easily add up to a similar result in the standings. The majority of the fan base (nearly 70 percent) expects Detroit to compete for a championship in the next five years, which would seem to indicate more faith in the team's direction than fans proclaimed earlier in the poll. There's a higher bar to competing for the Stanley Cup than just making the playoffs, and while there could be some difference in definition of what 'contention' actually looks like, this is a fairly high number for a team in the Red Wings' position. Advertisement One reader said that as Detroit's young players and prospects continue to develop and the team rounds out around them, 'they will be a team with enviable depth (without superstar talent), like Carolina.' 'There are key foundational pieces in place,' another added. 'Seider and Edvinsson are going to be the high-end D-men so important to being a contender. I'm hopeful that one of the young goalie prospects will blossom into an elite player, and I'm confident that guys like Kasper and Danielson are built for the playoffs.' But while outvoted, the 30 percent who felt Detroit was five-plus years away was adamant. '5 years is underselling it,' one said. 'Without doing something dramatic in free agency we don't have the stars in our system to win the Cup,' another added. 'Typically the core of the prospects will need at least 2-4 years of experience before they fully understand that the playoff run is a totally different task,' one more reader noted. Obviously, this is the ultimate 'time will tell.' But the bulk of fans still believe Cup contention is on the horizon for this group. These two questions were meant to be analyzed together, partly as an indicator of how much the playoff drought could be sapping enthusiasm (and willingness to shell out for tickets, parking and the other costs associated with going to a game). It's admittedly only one measure, but it appears most fans expect to maintain their current attendance level next year, with more fans wanting to move up rather than down. 'Games are expensive,' one fan noted. 'Don't want to shell out the money for a family of four if I feel like we're going to see a loss. Kids are 8 and 10. Prime years for becoming fans for them. Would love to see a turnaround and winning season like the Tigers, Lions and Pistons are doing.' (Photo of Steve Yzerman: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Red Wings offseason scenarios: 3 potential paths for Detroit's summer
As the days tick by, the meat of the NHL offseason draws ever closer for the Detroit Red Wings. The NHL playoff field is down to just four teams now, the draft combine is only a week away, and before you know it, the race to July 1 will be on. This is shaping up to be a fascinating summer for the Red Wings, who have every reason to be aggressive as they look to end a nine-year playoff drought. Advertisement But what could that look like? That's the question this article will seek to answer, diving into three potential scenarios for what general manager Steve Yzerman's offseason could look like. Detroit has roughly $22 million in cap space going into the summer, depending on whether or not you count Austin Watson (who was extended last season, and finished the year up with the big club, chipping in three goals). These are just a handful of the many permutations for what Detroit could do, but are meant to illustrate the range of options on the table. That said, there were three moves taken as a given in every scenario: re-signing Patrick Kane, Albert Johansson and Elmer Söderblom, all of whom were productive contributors in 2024-25. That left just under $15 million in salary cap room, as the Red Wings' remaining baseline. That's certainly plenty of room to make moves, but in a year where player salaries could soar with the expectation of a rising salary cap, it may not go as far as it might sound. With that said, here are three potential ways the Red Wings could approach this crucial summer. The first scenario tried to spread the money around Detroit's three big needs — the top-four 'D,' a top-line winger, and a harder-nosed 'identity' forward down the lineup. Buying out Vladimir Tarasenko was part of that, freeing up $3.16 million in cap savings, and in this scenario, the big addition was Aaron Ekblad — one of the top two defensemen on the free-agent market. I'd imagine Ekblad and Vladislav Gavrikov will cost about the same, so you can imagine him in that top four instead if you'd like, but I felt Ekblad's local ties (he's a Windsor native) made him a little more realistic. Certainly, this defense corps is immediately more imposing. Ekblad is a former No. 1 pick who plays 23 minutes a night on the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. He's a 6-foot-4 defenseman who can play physical and bring offense. In this current playoff run, he's been especially productive with 10 points in 12 games. He could be an excellent partner for Simon Edvinsson. Advertisement The big question is how he will age. He's already had a hard time staying healthy in his career, and late this season, he was suspended 20 games for violating the terms of the league's performance-enhancing substance program. Carrying around that big body certainly comes with physical wear and tear, so giving out this kind of contract to the 29-year-old would have to mean confidence from the Red Wings that they can build a winner in the first half or so of the deal to make the most of it. That is the case (at least to some degree) for most top free agents, though, and there's no doubt Ekblad would improve this blue line right away. So in this scenario, Detroit takes the plunge. That contract takes up just under half of Detroit's remaining space, after the Tarasenko buyout, so the next step was looking for a top-line winger. There wasn't enough money to get both a high-profile 'D' and the top free agent forward, Mitch Marner. But there were still some intriguing options available, headlined by Sam Bennett, Nikolaj Ehlers and Brad Marchand. The key in this scenario, though, was to try and address all three needs, which meant spending all of it on Bennett or Ehlers wasn't an option, though both are excellent players, and Bennett might just be the single best stylistic fit for Detroit on the market. Marchand is a very good alternative, especially with the playoffs he's having, but instead, the Red Wings go with a trade for Mason Marchment, a 6-5 winger coming off consecutive 22-goal seasons in Dallas. The Stars are coming up on a legit cap crunch, especially if they plan to keep both Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn, which seems to be the plan. If that's the case, they'll need to shed salary, and Marchment (who has one year left at $4.5 million) would make a lot of sense for Detroit to target at the cost of a second-round pick and a young, cheap winger in Jonatan Berggren. Advertisement Marchment certainly won't make a Bennett-level impact physically, but his size would still provide a dimension Detroit lacks in its top-six, without sacrificing offense in the process. Marchment has been in the Stars' top-six during this playoff run, playing with Duchene and Tyler Seguin. Slotting him with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, then, should be a fairly easy fit. Yzerman has shied away from using high draft picks on rentals, but this would be for at least one full season, with the option to either extend Marchment or trade him for a potentially similar return at the deadline (as he previously did with Nick Leddy). That leaves the hard-nosed identity forward, and in this case, it's Brandon Tanev, whose 168 hits in 2024-25 would have trailed only Moritz Seider (212) on the Red Wings. Hits certainly aren't the only stat that matters when it comes to identity, but it's an area Detroit could certainly use more of, and Tanev chipped in 10 goals as well. If Detroit were to take a cheaper option in that role, then those savings (as well as the leftover $2.7 million) could be enough to at least bid for a Bennett (or Ehlers) at the top of the lineup — though it's no guarantee either would have the Red Wings atop their list. But regardless, this scenario would make the Red Wings bigger and harder to play against, while also adding players who can contribute offensively, this scenario leaves a little extra cap space to spare. This group would certainly have a shot at snapping Detroit's playoff drought. If the Ekblad contract and cost of the Marchment trade left you feeling antsy, perhaps you'd prefer to see Detroit take a slightly more measured approach to their offseason business. In this scenario, that's exactly what they do: adding, but not committing so many years to older players, and paying a lower trade cost for that top-line wing spot while also leaving some room for a young player (in this case, Nate Danielson) to play his way onto the team. Advertisement We haven't seen Detroit leave spots for unproven prospects in the past, and I wouldn't expect the Red Wings to start doing so now. But that's where Tarasenko comes in: by keeping him, it acts as insurance. But if Danielson (or, in a longer shot, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård) is ready, it's easy enough to scratch or demote him to make room. As for the outside moves in this scenario, Chris Kreider would represent a fairly cheap (asset-wise) addition up top, with some upside if he can rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign in which he still scored 22 goals. At 34 years old, that rebound is far from a guarantee — but Kreider scored 35 goals or more in each of his prior three seasons, so it is well within the realm of possibility, especially playing with Larkin and Raymond. Detroit owns the Rangers' 2025 third-round pick, and for the sake of the exercise, we'll call that the ballpark cost for Kreider, whose two remaining years at a $6.5 million AAV, New York may be motivated to move. On defense, there was room to swing a bit bigger than Brian Dumoulin, but not enough to afford Gavrikov or Ekblad. At that point, Detroit will have to decide if it thinks any of Ivan Provorov, Dmitry Orlov or Ryan Lindgren is a top-pair caliber option. If not, they're probably better served with someone like Dumoulin, who would be cheaper and — while likely best cast on the third pair — at least a candidate to play higher in the lineup if needed. This team would be betting heavily on internal growth (and that Kreider rebound year) to get into the playoffs. But it would preserve significant flexibility going forward, while still adding some fresh faces to the locker room. OK, here's the one you clicked for. If Detroit wants to be aggressive this summer, there's certainly a case for going after the biggest name on the market, Toronto's Mitch Marner. Yes, Marner would be another smaller forward in a lineup that already has a few of those. He's also a 100-point scorer (fifth in the league this season) who gets annual Selke consideration. There aren't many players like that floating around. Advertisement Raymond might have to switch sides of the ice in this scenario, but that would create more opportunities to use his impressive one-timer. And if Marner is going to be a primary facilitator, it becomes easier to ask Larkin to do some more dirty work for the line down low. Marner would also have the potential to help Detroit's penalty kill, the team's Achilles' heel last season. Marner's playoff track record is what it is — but he'd certainly help Detroit get back there, and perhaps getting out of Toronto would help him at that time of year. Simply put, Marner is going to get to call his own shot this summer. Odds are, it won't be Detroit. But for a player of his talent level, the Red Wings have to at least inquire. If they do win the Marner sweepstakes, it won't leave the Red Wings much room to maneuver. For that reason, Tarasenko was again bought out in this scenario, and that still only left a small amount to work with. Nick Cousins doesn't have the size of your typical hard-nosed depth forward, but his runaway victory in The Athletic's 'player you'd most like to punch' poll in 2024 suggests he's doing something right as a pest. Meanwhile, Nicolas Hague, like Marchment, is a candidate to move via trade because Vegas may not be able to justify paying him, with a deep blue line and holes to fill elsewhere. He's also younger and could be a candidate to get a look in higher deployment, as he's been a solid third-pair staple for the Golden Knights. Fans will no doubt note that I included prospect Carter Mazur in every scenario here. I don't know if that's the way it will work out this fall, and Mazur has certainly struggled to stay in the lineup. But he's another young player who can make Detroit harder to play against while still bringing offense. I do like his chances of being on the team — if he's healthy. Advertisement This scenario would feature the star power Red Wings fans have wanted for years, and would be fascinating to watch play out. Which player would come off of Detroit's elite top power play unit, for example? How would Marner look away from the star-studded Maple Leafs core? And outside the Toronto spotlight? Those are all real questions, and Detroit would be betting big on Marner being enough to elevate this group into the playoffs. But hey, that's sort of what you expect when you offer a player $13 million a year, right? (Photo of Mitch Marner and Marco Kasper: Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)
