- Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings are done with the free agent market, and trade talks have slowed down. The Wings are still hoping to trade for a top-four right-handed defenseman. There is still the chance that they re-sign Daniel Alfredsson next month. They have about $8 million in cap space remaining, and RFAs Tomas Tatar and Danny DeKeyser still to sign. GM Ken Holland will still be working the phones for a defenseman.
“Had the odd call, but for the most part it’s slowed down,” Holland said. “It goes slow now for July and August. In past years once (top) free agents are off the market and money is spent things get slow.”
Trade candidates include Mike Green, Tyler Myers, Jeff Petry and Cody Franson. Teams are asking about Gustav Nyquist, Tatar and Anthony Mantha.
“I explored trades through June, couldn’t find a fit,” Holland said. “Now I sense a quiet three, four, five weeks. In the meantime I’ll reach out to some of those (GMs).”
They did have some interest in Michael Del Zotto, who is a left-handed shot, but there doesn’t appear to be a fit.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) UFAs didn’t turn the Red Wings down because of the money that was offered.Khan thinks that Gustav Nyquist is close to being untouchable, but might consider it if they get a bona fide star back. Tomas Tatar is likely not an untouchable. They could be less inclined to trade Tomas Jurco than Tatar. Anthony Mantha isn’t going anywhere. They are unlikely to trade their 2015 first round pick. They could be willing to trade their second round pick. They might be willing to trade Brendan Smith. Jakub Kindl and Joakim Andersson would need to have other assets included if they wanted to get a good return.
Khan doesn’t think the Red Wings wanted to include their 2014 second round pick in a deal for defenseman Brad Stuart before the draft.
- Jimmy Murphy: Sources say that Keith Yandle trade talks have quieted down. Murphy thinks Yandle would be a good fit for the Red Wings, Senators and Stars.