NEWS: Red Wings Here are the 4 ignitors to save the teams future
3 recently traded pending free agents who could ignite the Red Wings in 2024-25
Recently traded rentals are often a good place to begin when looking for future players for a team that came close to playoff contention the previous season. The Detroit Red Wings fit that criteria, and while they don’t need to sign anyone flashy for the upcoming season, they do need to fill the lower portions of their depth chart with enough talent to help turn some major weaknesses into adequate areas of strength.
The following names aren’t all-stars by any means, but you may agree that they will, among anything else, empower the Red Wings defensively. That said, two players listed could more than generate offense, too, even if there are good odds one will re-sign with his current team.
Joel Edmundson would be an underrated yet valuable stopgap
Many wouldn’t think to sign Joel Edmundson as his game is beyond one-dimensional, but after a year when the Red Wings scored so many goals, let’s be honest with ourselves: They don’t need a two-way player on the blue line to help them win hockey games; they need someone who can help them stop allowing so many shots on net and goals.
Edmundson could be the best recently traded player entering unrestricted free agency who would help them with that cause. He’s well over the one hit and block per game mark – 80 hits and 65 blocks across 53 games this past regular season. But what impressed me was the way he played following his trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His on-ice save percentage at even strength was a sparkling 93.8, and Edmundson was one of the most trusted players in the defensive zone down the stretch, with nearly two-thirds of his starts occurring there. His xGA at even strength sat at 6.9, but he was only on the ice for five goals allowed.
No, Edmundson’s play won’t wow anyone, and it even comes across as boring. But the Red Wings have enough high-octane excitement to where they don’t need to add another big-time scorer or two-way player. It is necessary, however, to add a no-frills blueliner like Edmundson despite his lack of productivity in the offensive zone.
3 forwards the Red Wings must avoid in NHL free agency
The Detroit Red Wings could sign some game-changing free agents to help them officially take another step on the rebuilding rung in 2024-25, but others will come with a ‘buyer beware’ tag attached to them. Today, we’re talking about a trio of forwards who will carry that very tag in July.
Just because the following three forwards are free agents, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would be wise to avoid in NHL free agency; it’s also important to remember that none of the following names are bad players. If Yzerman signs any of them, there is a good chance they will bring value to the Motor City, so you can argue in favor of each.
But as things have gone this season regarding these players, there are more cons than pros. One proved to be a great scorer this past season, and it nonetheless raised his value. Another also looked good, but he also wasn’t healthy for much of the season, while the third name on this list struggled through one of the worst campaigns imaginable.
Anthony Mantha, Vegas Golden Knights
We’re starting with a former Detroit Red Wing here with Anthony Mantha, who has put together a good year with the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights. He finished the season with 23 goals and 44 points, and he showed off a physical edge down the stretch that the Red Wings could use.
That said, Mantha is on this list not because he would make a bad signing for the Red Wings. He’s one player I would endorse returning to Detroit because he could bring in some serious depth scoring, especially after this past season. Although he didn’t seem to be as physical this year while in Washington, that changed in Vegas, but my concern with Mantha has to do with his potential contract length.
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