Red Wings Rebuild Over: Time to Build

Last summer GM Evans made a few half-measure moves to improve the roster, adding veterans like Markov, Edler, Stralman, Bonino, and Jokinen via trade and signing Frans Nielsen, Blake Comeau, JM Liles and Jonas Enroth in free agency. These were all quality middle-of-the-roster type guys, but none were really capable of contributing at an above average level. Unsurprisingly, the Wings were not able to make it to the playoffs and struggled for much of the season. By the deadline the Wings were cooked; Nielsen, Markov, and Liles were shipped off at the for picks to recoup some of the losses of a failed summer.

This current summer GM Evans has taken a new approach: no half measures. Rather than bargain hunt and try to retain as many picks as possible, he has gone out and found some top pieces to fill out the roster. Mark Giordano will join Erik Karlsson on the top pair, after leading the Flames to an MRFHL championship this past season. Ryan Kesler will play 2nd line minutes and handle the bulk of the penalty killing duties. Henrik Zetterberg is coming off a quiet 68 point NHL season with 51 assists, and could end up playing on either of the top forward lines. Jared Spurgeon and Paul Martin add much needed defensive depth.

The roster overhaul began late May. The UFA rights to Henrik Zetterberg were acquired from Vancouver for a 2nd round pick in this year's draft. The Wings didn't have any pending UFA's to retain, which opened up an opportunity for GM Evans to make a big time player add without giving up a top asset. Signing Henrik will be a top priority for the Wings this summer.

The next trade saw Ryan Kesler joining the Red Wings, with the Devils picking up 50% of his remaining salary. The Red Wings sent last year's 2nd round pick, Adam Mascherin along with Bonino and a 2nd round pick to the Devils. When asked for comment on the deal GM Evans said "Probably our single biggest need this summer was to add a defensive minded Centre to play behind McDavid. Kesler fits the role perfectly. It was important to get some salary retention in this trade, because the cap space would be needed to shore up our D core. It was tough to move Adam Mascherin at such a young age, and I wouldn't be shocked if he leads the OHL in scoring next year."

The first defenseman acquisition followed not long after Kesler. Spurgeon was acquired from the Senators for Anaheim's 1st round pick in the coming draft (which was acquired for Frans Nielsen at the deadline) and prospect Erik Cernak. GM Evans: "Jared had a breakout year and should slot in as our #3 defenseman. We still have our own 1st round pick so we were flexible with the Ducks pick. Cernak might not be a star but I'll be shocked if he doesn't play in the NHL."

The next move kinda went against the flow. Instead of adding a roster player, the Wings subtracted young Centre Chris Tierney. In exchange, the Wings picked up prospect Josh Mahura and Calgary's 3rd round pick in this year's draft. "I really like Josh Mahura, not going to lie. He came back from an injury filled draft year with a very strong season. We maybe didn't get the best value for Tierney, considering the shocking amount of interest in him throughout the league, but I feel like Mahura will be one of the better defenseman in the CHL this coming year. He just simply wouldn't have been available next year if we had waited."

The penultimate trade of this summer (so far), saw Paul Martin heading to the Wings in exchange for the recently acquired Calgary 3rd round pick, and well as prospects Joseph Cramarossa and Mario Lucia. Martin adds defensive depth at a reasonable price and is on a contract that expires next summer.

Last, but certainly not least, Mark Giordano was acquired for a couple of intruiging former 1st round picks: Michael Dal Colle, and Ryan Pulock. Giordano took a small step back offensively this season, but still managed 12 goals and 39 points while being one of the better defenders in the NHL. 

GM Evans: "When I called Erik Karlsson to tell him we had acquired Mark, he hopped in his Ferrari and drove over to my house so he could hug me. What can I say, Erik is a strange duck. Mark gives us another legit top pairing dman, something we have never had during my tenure. It was tough to give up Michael and Ryan; I really think they'll turn out as fine NHL players. Ryan Pulock has a bullet shot that would be an asset on the powerplay for any team. All in all I'm happy with the moves the Wings have made this summer. We're probably done making big time deals for now, and will look to add a depth forward or two before the season starts.


Incoming: Giordano, Kesler (50% retained), Zetterberg UFA rights, Spurgeon, Martin, Mahura

Outgoing: Pulock, Dal Colle, Tierney, Bonino, Mascherin, ANA 1st, NYR 2nd, DET 2nd, Cernak, Lucia, Cramarossa