On the Detroit Red Wings …
Craig Custance of The Athletic: Multiple sources saying that UFA Robin Lehner had an in-person meeting with the Red Wings.
The Red Wings have spoken agents for Carter Hutton, Jonathan Bernier and a few others.
A source is saying the Red Wings have also spoken with former Wing Valtteri Filppula.
The Red Wings expect Henrik Zetterberg to play next year, but sources are saying they are prepared for the chance that he doesn’t.
The Wings have also spoken to Thomas Vanek‘s camp. Vanek could help youngsters Michael Rasmussen and Filip Zadina, but he would also block other young wingers.
The Red Wings are holding on a two-year offer for Mike Green.
Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) thinks the Red Wings should look to trade a roster forward (reader suggests a winger like Andreas Athanasiou or Evgeny Svechnikov) for a defenseman after they drafted two forwards in the first round. Athanasiou seems like a more likely candidate, but it may be a better move next year.
The Red Wings may not be ready to give up on Svechnikov yet. The Carolina Hurricanes would be suggested to play with his brother Andrei who was just drafted. The Hurricanes have 26-year old right-handed defenseman Justin Faulk.
Filip Zadina should make the team out of training camp, so they likely won’t pursue free agent Thomas Vanek, something they may have done if they drafted a defenseman at No .6.
The Red Wings have already told forward Gustav Nyquist that they see how his first half of the season goes before deciding on whether or not to offer him a contract extension. doesn’t think they will re-sign him, which could cost $5+ million a season. He does have a no-trade clause but would likely waive it to go to a contender.
The Red Wings have offered Mike Green a two-year deal at $5 million a season and a one-year deal at $6 million a season. He likely wouldn’t take the one-year deal, and will use the free agent window to see if he can get three years.
Goaltender Carter Hutton is the Red Wings top free agent target. The Wings also like Bruins UFA Anton Khudobin. Other UFAs include Jonathan Bernier, Cam Ward, Robin Lehner, Kari Lehtonen and Petr Mrazek.