Red Wings meet to talk trades, draft, more

The Detroit News
Michael Rasmussen

Detroit – One last chance to get together and go over plans and strategy for the upcoming busy weeks in the NHL offseason.

That’s what the Detroit Red Wings’ front office will do for the next four days, as organizational meetings take place at Little Caesars Arena.

General manager Ken Holland, senior-vice president Jimmy Devellano, assistant GM Ryan Martin and coach Jeff Blashill, along with members of the pro scouting staff, among others, will meet and finalize a plan to attack the next several weeks.

The NHL Draft is June 22-23 in Dallas, the development camp for the team’s prospects and draft picks is June 26-30, and unrestricted free agency begins July 1.

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“We bring the staff together and talk about what we are going to do for the next month,” Holland told The Detroit News. “We’ll go over every player in our organization, then go through every player in other organizations.

“We’ll see if there are any opportunities (for trades).”

Holland talked with numerous general managers at last month’s draft combine in Buffalo, possibly laying the groundwork for possible trades at the draft.

Much of the preparation for the draft took place several weeks ago, during in-depth discussions with amateur scouts.

This will be a crucial draft for the Wings, who have two first-round draft picks, including the No. 6 overall (their own) and the No. 30 pick (Las Vegas’ selection, coming in the Tomas Tatar trade).

The Red Wings own 11 picks overall, including two in the second round and three in the third.

“This is a good draft, there are a lot of good players available,” Holland said.

Among the players expected to compete in training camp for a spot on the Red Wings roster include last year’s No. 1 pick, forward Michael Rasmussen; recent first-rounders defenseman Dennis Cholowski (2016) and forward Evgeny Svechnikov (2015); 2016 second-round defenseman Filip Hronek; and the player they take at No. 6 later this month.

Defensemen Joe Hicketts and Libor Sulak, and forward Dominic Turgeon, also appear capable of landing a spot on the roster on opening night.

Holland said he wants to keep at least two spots available for players among that group to break into the lineup.

As for free agency, the Red Wings aren’t likely to be active other than short-term deals with players who could be dealt again at the trade deadline for more draft picks.

The Red Wings do need a veteran backup goaltender and must decide whether to pursue re-signing defenseman Mike Green.

Restricted free agent forwards Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha all must be re-signed.

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

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