Four Stanley Cups, 12 Time All Star, a seven time Norris Trophy winner, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. When the Detroit Red Wings drafted Nicklas Lidstrom 53rd overall in the 1989 draft nobody could have predicted that the small Swedish defenseman would have had the career that he did.
No matter what team you follow, Nicklas Lidstrom is regarded around the NHL as a class act and an all time great. When he announced his retirement last week, many experts began asking “What happens to the Red Wings now?”
Lidstrom’s presence will be hard to replace, as will his leadership. Does the organization feel confident enough to use an internal solution? Do they look to Free Agency? Some believed that the day #5 hung up the skates would be the day the decline of the Red Wings would begin. However, we believe otherwise...
More on Detroit's situation after the jump!
More on Detroit's situation after the jump!
With free agency beginning in just a matter of weeks, Detroit is primed to make a big splash to remain contenders. With Lidstrom’s salary now off the books Detroit is left with $26 million and change to spend (the salary cap is expected to increase to $70 million).
Detroit is going to be giving the top defenseman available in this years free agent class Ryan Suter a call to replace the 12 time all star. Suter, 27, is entering his prime years as a strong two-way defenseman who has racked up more than 35 points each of the last four seasons. Suter, who had the entire year to work out an extension with Nashville ultimately chose not to and appears likely to test the free agent market.
In addition to trying to go after Suter, Detroit may decide to pursue fellow Team USA teammate Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils. Parise was third on the team in points (69), second on the team in goals (31) and third in assists (38) this season. To cement his value, Parise has played over 80 games in six of his seven seasons with New Jersey proving to be a healthy addition to any team.
The current Devils captain can add a much needed spark for a Detroit offense that was not only decimated by injuries but also struggled when healthy. During the last month of the season and playoffs they averaged 2.5 goals and 1.8 respectively which was good enough for 14th of the 16 teams that made the playoffs.
In addition to trying to go after Suter, Detroit may decide to pursue fellow Team USA teammate Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils. Parise was third on the team in points (69), second on the team in goals (31) and third in assists (38) this season. To cement his value, Parise has played over 80 games in six of his seven seasons with New Jersey proving to be a healthy addition to any team.
The current Devils captain can add a much needed spark for a Detroit offense that was not only decimated by injuries but also struggled when healthy. During the last month of the season and playoffs they averaged 2.5 goals and 1.8 respectively which was good enough for 14th of the 16 teams that made the playoffs.
Playing the Nashville Predators in the first round did not help. The tenacious defensive duo of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter along with stellar goaltending from Pekka Rinne only stymied the offence more.
Over At TSN the Insider Trading panel believes that the two young American stars could potentially be interested in playing for the same team. Is it reasonable to think that Detroit could very well be one of the few options that allow this to happen? They have the cap space and the two played together before on the US Olympic team in 2010.
Both will want to play for a contender as Suter has openly said he wants to be a go-to-guy on a team and Parise is currently in the Stanley Cup Finals.
In Parise’s case, making it to the finals and winning the Stanley Cup (or losing) could very well be the deciding factor if he remains a Devil or not. Detroit is widely known as one of, if not the best, organization in the NHL. The club sent a team to the playoffs for a record 21st straight season.
The need for both players is there. The Red Wings would be adding a top four defenseman in Suter and a top six winger in Parise who offers just what Detroit needs to go along with Datsyuk and Zetterberg; a responsible scoring forward with consistency.
Another interesting side note is the possibility that the USA teammates to take a slight pay reduction in order to play together and leave enough cap space to add additional pieces. By leaving Detroit with that flexibility, the team can use it to sign another solid player or save it for whatever General Manager Ken Holland sees fit.
Maybe Detroit does not need a rebuilding phase. With the right tweaks, the storied franchise could send another strong contending team to the playoffs next season. The franchise continues to be the most consistent in the NHL and if they do add the two American silver medalists, you can bet that the team will be looking to add more silverware to the cupboard in the shape of a certain cup...
The need for both players is there. The Red Wings would be adding a top four defenseman in Suter and a top six winger in Parise who offers just what Detroit needs to go along with Datsyuk and Zetterberg; a responsible scoring forward with consistency.
Another interesting side note is the possibility that the USA teammates to take a slight pay reduction in order to play together and leave enough cap space to add additional pieces. By leaving Detroit with that flexibility, the team can use it to sign another solid player or save it for whatever General Manager Ken Holland sees fit.
Maybe Detroit does not need a rebuilding phase. With the right tweaks, the storied franchise could send another strong contending team to the playoffs next season. The franchise continues to be the most consistent in the NHL and if they do add the two American silver medalists, you can bet that the team will be looking to add more silverware to the cupboard in the shape of a certain cup...
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