![NHL – Five free agents who could help boost Red Wings’ offense NHL – Five free agents who could help boost Red Wings’ offense](https://i2.wp.com/www.mlive.com/resizer/v2/RCNREAFIPBBUFFVAL773FRIXWE.jpg?auth=78870ec4b1ffc2786ae9700960098e715d9bbb222cfd10c37af0a38b38f9b16e&width=1280&quality=90&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Keeping the puck out of their net should be the Detroit Red Wings‘ top priority for 2024-25 after they ranked a disappointing 24th in the NHL, allowing 3.33 goals per game.
But the offense could also use a boost, or at least needs to remain stable, after the team finished ninth in the league with 3.35 goals per game.
Jonatan Berggren will help, who will be guaranteed to be in the squad at the start of the season. Lucas Raymond, a restricted free agent who this summer could sign an eight-year extension close to $8 million per season, should take advantage of his career year. Alex DeBrincat needs to bounce back after a late-season slump limited him to 27 goals.
But the Red Wings need more than just internal growth and internal improvements to score more points.
Here are five pending unrestricted free agent forwards who would boost the Red Wings’ offense, given their age and 2023-24 cap hit:
Patrick Kane, Detroit, RW, 35 years old, ($2.75 million): He fit in perfectly on and off the ice, producing 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games. The Red Wings would love to have him back, but are they willing to give him more than a year, because that’s what it will take? He showed no ill effects from hip rejuvenation surgery a year ago, but that could still give the club pause in offering a multi-year deal. Kane seemed to say goodbye to the franchise at the end of the season, so it would be surprising if he returned.
Elias Lindholm, Vancouver, C/RW, 29 ($4.85 million): For a guy with one year on his contract, he had a terrible season (15 goals, 44 points in 75 games between Calgary and Vancouver). He didn’t have much impact after being traded to the Canucks (six goals, 12 points in 26 games) and they don’t want him back. Perhaps he can be obtained at a relatively cheap price.
Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas, RW/LW, 33 ($5 million): An original Golden Knight, franchise’s all-time leader in goals and points and winner of the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy, is coming off his most productive season (42 goals, 69 points in 82 games). But Vegas has virtually no cap space. He would make up for the offense the Red Wings will likely lose with Kane’s departure. Steve Yzerman, as Tampa Bay’s general manager, acquired Marchessault in a trade with Columbus in 2014, but he was unsuccessful during two years with the organization and signed with Florida as a free agent in 2016.
Sam Reinhart, Florida, RW, 28 ($6.5 million): He experienced the mother of all contract years (57 goals, 94 points). The Panthers have plenty of players to re-sign and he could have something similar to captain Alexsander Barkov ($10 million average annual value) and Matthew Tkachuk ($9.5 million), but it’s hard to imagine the team letting him walk after his season. So, he files this one off as a long shot and a pipe dream.
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay, C/LW, 34 ($8.5 million): All things considered, this longtime superstar could be number one on the Red Wings’ wish list. She is coming off a 40-goal, 81-point season. She would reinforce his central position and also has the flexibility to play as a winger. Additionally, he is familiar with Yzerman and coach Derek Lalonde. Would the Lightning captain leave the only franchise he played for during a 16-year career? Tampa Bay is in a salary crisis and may not be able to offer him much more than $5 million per season. The Red Wings could offer him three years at $8 million per season.
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