The Detroit Red Wings’ desperate need for more goals has reached the point that Steve Yzerman was trying to lure Anthony Mantha back to the team before Yzerman stepped down as GM.
Respected Mlive.com reporter Ansar Khan reported that Yzerman offered Mantha a one-year deal for $5 million. Yzerman traded Mantha to Washington on April 13, 2021. Mantha recently signed with the New Jersey Devils for two years at $4.5 million per season.
With Patrick Kane (Detroit’s No. 4 scorer) and James van Riemsdyk (No. 5 scorer) both gone and Dylan Larkin (No. 2 scorer) about to follow them, DHN’s Friday story pointed out that even with the addition of Viktor Arvidsson, the Red Wings are theoretically down 41 goals from last season. That supposes that the new director of hockey operations will not be able to land a scorer if, or when, he trades Larkin.
Yzerman’s position seemed to be that he wouldn’t trade Larkin unless the return had a player who could help him now. What we don’t know is whether the new boss will feel the same.
But we do know if Larkin is moved for draft picks and prospects, the Red Wings could potentially end up as one of the NHL’s lowest scoring teams. The Red Wings finished 22nd with 239 goals last season, and a team without Larkin, Kane and van Riemsdyk projects to be around 200 goals this season (based on last season’s individual totals).
What will Yzerman’s replacement do? Maybe he will call the Pittsburgh Penguins about Rickard Rakell or talk to Vancouver about Elias Pettersson. Would he try to re-sign Vladimir Tarasenko?
He did score 23 goals and put up 47 points for Minnesota last season.
The new Detroit boss could try to talk Larkin into staying. But no matter who the new hire is, or what he plans to do, he faces major challenges to turn around this team.
Red Wings Extra
Five storylines to ponder as we head toward trading Dylan Larkin, hiring a new Director of Hockey Operations and trying to avoid an 11th consecutive season out of the playoffs.
How many goals will Marco Kasper score this season? Right now, he projects to be Detroit’s No. 1 center between Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond.
Is Nate Danielson healthy enough now to challenge for a Red Wings’ roster spot? He’s never going to be a dominant offensive performer, but could be a helpful contributor.
Can Michael Brandsegg-Nygard play in Detroit’s top six? He offers a physical presence and a big shot.
Last season, John Gibson was a difference-maker after Dec. 1. Can he be that player again this season.
Who plays on the second line with Arvidsson and Andrew Copp? Is it a young player, such as Emmitt Finnie or Brandsegg-Nygard? Or, will it be a player that comes to Detroit in the Larkin deal?