Here are 5 Free agent defensemen the Detroit Red Wings should consider in 2022. During yesterday’s presser explaining his decision, Yzerman stated that his hand was forced by Detroit’s woeful defensive play, especially over the last three months of the recently completed 2021-22 season that saw the Red Wings surrendering goals to the opposition at a ghastly rate. They finished with the highest goals-against-average of any NHL team thanks to multiple performances that saw them routinely give up 5+ goals a night.
The Danny DeKeyser era in Detroit is likely over, meaning there will be a spot open in the lineup next season for the 2021 1st-round pick Simon Edvinsson.
That said, let’s look at some potential free-agent defensemen that Yzerman could be considering.
Free agent defensemen
Justin Schultz
http://gty.im/1394447972
The slick-skating, puck-moving defenseman is set to complete the two-year deal that he inked with the Washington Capitals. A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he’s appeared in 602 career regular-season games, recording 264 points. Right now, his cap hit with the Capitals is a reasonable $4 million.
Ian Cole
http://gty.im/1394075637
Currently suiting up with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ann Arbor native is a veteran of 670 career regular-season games, and like Schultz, was a member of Pittsburgh’s back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning teams. His current cap hit with Carolina stands at $2.9 million.
Josh Manson
http://gty.im/1393944454
The intimidating 6’3 blueliner is coming off a four-year, $16.4 million deal he inked with the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season. Not only is he known for his puck-moving abilities, but also for his willingness to dish out big hits.
John Klingberg
http://gty.im/1387410249
The 29-year-old Swedish defenseman is known for his skating, and reportedly experienced a rift with the Dallas Stars earlier this season; many thought a trade was on the horizon. For now, he remains with the Stars and could be a coveted piece over the summer. He’s racked up 374 career points in 552 games, all with the Stars.
Jan Rutta
http://gty.im/1374017672
A veteran of 238 career NHL games, Rutta was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2018-19 season when Yzerman was still under contract with the team. At 6’2 and 211 lbs along with featuring a right-handed shot, Rutta could be on Yzerman’s radar.
