Smart And Logical Thing To Do

Team: 2023-24 Detroit Red Wings

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 12, 2023

Published: Jun. 12, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

With an essentially bare cupboard of difference makers in the system at forward and RHD, we need to take advantage of the picks we have in one of the better draft classes in recent history.

There is no sense in jumping the gun and attempting to expedite our rebuilding process with the opportunity to select 5 players in the top 43 of said draft.

We’re not going to be competing for a Stanley Cup this year no matter who we sign or draft. This upcoming trade deadline we will have Dominik Kubalik & David Perron whom we can get significant returns for, not to mention any players we sign this offseason.

My thought process/game plan would be to continue to develop & stockpile assets and take our swings next offseason. Sign a couple stopgap guys and potentially move them at the deadline as well for more picks/ammo. Not only do we already have 2 first round picks next year just like this year, but we’ll still have ample cap flexibility, plus a much more attractive free agent market with potentially guys like Lindholm, Nylander, DeBrincat and much more assuming they’re not extended this year.

Trade Deadline returns:
Perron - 1st or 2nd round pick
Kubalik - 2nd round pick (traded this year)
Dumba - 2nd or 3rd round pick
Anderson - 2nd or 3rd round pick

Depending on the varying deadline returns; best case scenario we could be going into next offseason with three 1st round picks and three 2nd round picks.

*Taxi Squad represents 2023 draft picks in order of selection*.

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