On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Detroit Red Wings are among the teams interested in Sweden’s Victor Ejdsell. The 22-year old 6-foot-5 forward visited Detroit and other cities this week before returning home yesterday. The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are also believed to be interested.
“He’s evolved into a strong two-way center,” Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin said. “His move from wing to center helped his defensive game. He’s got good hands and offensive ability.”
Red Wings assistant GM Ryan Martin said they won’t be signing their seventh round picks from 2013 and 2015 – Hampus Melen and Adam Marsh before the June 1st deadline. Marsh will be going back into the draft. They also won’t be offering 2012 fifth- and sixth-round picks Mike McKee and James de Haas contracts prior to the August 15th deadline. They could offer McKee and de Haas minor league deals.
Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) The Red Wings only have four players on their roster that have played for another organization, something that might be part of the problem. It’s been a long time since they’ve made significant player-for-player trade. The free agent market is thin this offseason and there isn’t a lot of help coming from their AHL team.
Tomas Tatar has more trade value than Gustav Nyquist, but thinks they’d rather keep Tatar. If they were to be able to get a young, top-pairing defenseman for the Tatar they would do it. Someone like Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Don’t think they will leave Petr Mrazek unprotected for the expansion draft despite his struggles. He has a year left on his deal at $4 million. If they don’t think that Mrazek is their goalie of the future, they will look to trade him. thinks they will leave Jimmy Howard unprotected if they can’t trade him before. Doubtful the Golden Knights would select him due to age and contract.