With just ten games under his belt, Patrick Kane has lived up to the hype since joining the Detroit Red Wings. With five goals and ten points thus far this season, Kane is playing at a point-per-game pace. Strangely, ever since they joined the band, they’ve been free-falling in the Atlantic Division, as Tom Petty would say. Yes, there are a number of factors, including a slew of injuries, but Detroit used to hold second place in the Atlantic Division behind Boston. With 36 points, three behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Red Wings are currently in fifth place on the standings. Their ship has been taking on water.
General manager Steve Yzerman must consider all of his options after the holiday break and determine whether the Detroit Red Wings can make a meaningful run at postseason play or whether they will once more be sellers at the trade deadline. I don’t even want to consider the possibility that Detroit could start selling again; I don’t want this team to remain in neutral.The goalie position for the Detroit Red Wings needs to be improved.
It’s not going to be simple. In the league, goaltending is tough. That being said, the NHL wants more excitement and goals scored, not that goaltending has suddenly fallen dramatically. That explains why there are so many more power play opportunities in today’s game than there were in previous ones. There are at least six or seven postseason-hopeful teams in the league who will seek to improve their goalie situation prior to the trade deadline. The issue? There will only be three or so No. 1 netminders available, so it’s only natural that those clubs’ asking prices would skyrocket along with interest rates.Because both of his backup goalies are cheap and don’t need to be looked at right now, Yzerman decided to carry three goalies on the roster this season. Detroit will be without starting goalie Ville Husso for “quite some time,” and Alex Lyon, who had been providing the Red Wings with their best chance to win, is expected to be out until Christmas. It’s uncertain if he’ll be fit to play when Detroit plays in Minnesota on Wednesday. That puts a lot of pressure on James Reimer and Michael Hutchinson, which is not good for a team that has been having trouble lately. While Husso, at 28, will have some trade appeal, Yzerman will need to move him in any of these possible transactions; none of them would be a one-for-one.I recently discussed how the Detroit Red Wings ought to think about bringing in a true top goalie like John Gibson. Gibson, 30, has a $6.4 million cap hit on his contract, which runs through the 2026–2027 season. With their extensive working relationship, Yzerman and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek ought to be able to work out a solution that will satisfy both parties. Verbeek stated that the Ducks will need a few years to prepare for the postseason as they are currently rebuilding. This raises the possibility that Gibson, who dominated trade talks the previous season, is moving. This season, Gibson is 6-13-0 with a 2.85 goals-against average and a.906 save percentage.
also mentioned the possibility of bringing in Columbus Blue Jackets player Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins, 29, has a record of 7-8-5, a goals-against average of 3.17, and a save percentage of.909. Similar to Gibson, Merzlikins has a deal that runs through the 2026–2027 campaign, but it is a little less expensive at $5.4 million annually. little more economical, but not as excellent. I still think he would be a marginal improvement over Husso, probably not enough to get Yzerman to take him seriously.
My favourite now seems to be the last option. You are aware of Yzerman’s fondness for towering, massive goalies; allow me to introduce you to Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom, 33, is a tall 6-foot-6 goalie who is a very skilled, reliable goalie who is always on the move. After this, Markstrom’s contract is for two more years.
