On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Looking at some offseason questions for the Detroit Red Wings.
Biggest question may be whether Pavel Datsyuk returns or not. If he leaves, they need to find a way to move his cap hit.
If Pavel Datsyuk leaves and they can move his cap hit, they would likely attempt to sign pending UFA Steven Stamkos. Other teams that could be interested in signing Stamkos include the Maple Leafs, Canucks, Sabres and Bruins.
It won’t be easy for the Wings to find a team willing to trade for Jimmy Howard and his over $5 million salary cap hit for the next three years.
Defensman Kyle Quincey is a pending UFA and likely won’t be back. They need to improve their blueline. Jonathan Ericsson, Niklas Kronwall and Mike Green have more than one-year left on their contracts and won’t be traded.
Potential players that could be traded include Brendan Smith, Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. Not many teams are looking for a starting goalie, but the Flames, Maple Leafs and Sabres might be interested in trading for Howard.
The Red Wings need to get bigger upfront and could look at free agents Milan Lucic, David Backes, Troy Brouwer and Dale Weise.
The Wings would be smart to re-sign Darren Helm, but he may be able to get more on the open market.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings need to find a way to bring in a high-end defenseman. Teams don’t normally give up high-end defenseman though. A bad knee is slowing Niklas Kronwall. GM Ken Holland was interested in Shea Weber back in 2012 when he was a RFA.
The Calgary Flames need help in net. Would the two teams be able to come up with a package that included Jimmy Howard and Mark Giordano or Dougie Hamilton? Kevin Shattenkirk could be available, but the last asking price from the Blues was Dylan Larkin. Larkin is untouchable.