Wings Nation Free Agency Targets: The Top 5 UFA Defensemen

With the exception of Kevin Shattenkirk, this year’s free agency pool is pretty weak for defensemen. Detroit currently has a backlog of defensemen and don’t particularly need to add another one to the mix. Holland and Blashill need to allow players like Ouellet and Jensen to have more ice time to improve their play, as well as the other players waiting in the AHL for their call up. Here are the five defensemen on Detroit’s radar:

Girardi was bought out of his three remaining seasons by the New York Rangers. He’s been with the Rangers since he was signed as a undrafted player in 2006.  Girardi’s play has declined in the last few years going from a 1st pairing shut down to having a higher SA% than SF%. In the 2016/17 season, Girardi played 63 games scoring 15 points making this season one of the lowest of his career.

Girardi puts his body on the line in every game, throwing his body in front of pucks defending the net. This style of play could benefit the Wings. With the possibility of Mrazek being traded in the off-season, they will need all the help they can get. If Girardi takes a considerably low deal for 1 year, it may be worth pursuing.

Trevor Daley is coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup winning seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Throughout the season, Daley was moved up and down the lineup as the Penguins lost their players to injuries. Last season Daley played in 54 games, scoring 19 points. His CF60 was higher than his CA60 which confirms that he can be a shutdown defenseman.

If Detroit could get Daley on a 1 or 2-year deal for less than he was getting with Pittsburgh he would be ideal pairing partner for Xavier Ouellet or Nick Jensen. But as he has back-to-back Stanley Cups he will command more money than Detroit can afford to pay.

Michael Stone is an offensive defenseman who had an amazing 2015-16 season, scoring 36 points in 75 games. After he suffered some injuries, his play declined. Stone was traded at the deadline to the Calgary Flames from the Arizona Coyotes where he scored 6 points in 19 games which is 3 less points than he scored in Arizona playing 45 games.

Stone would probably strive on a team with a solid defensive coaching strategy and Detroit at this stage is not one of them. Detroit focuses on what the defenseman can do for the offense than what they can do when the puck goes the other way. Even saying that Stone may be a good partner to put with Mike Green.

27-year-old Michael Del Zotto has had an adjustment period with the Philadelphia Flyers. His first season with the Flyers saw him score 32 points and in the last 2 seasons has seen him struggle offensively. The struggle came when Shayne Ghostisbehere was introduced into the Flyers lineup and impacted Del Zotto’s ice time.

Del Zotto would fit into Blashill’s system as he likes his defensemen to join the rush and Del Zotto is very offensively minded. Mike Green and Del Zotto would make a great defensive pairing if (in what seems to be a running theme in this post) he would take a pay cut and a short-term deal.

Kevin Shattenkirk is the best defensemen available in this free agency and the likelihood of Detroit getting him is slim. Shattenkirk will command a huge contract that Detroit, with their current cap, will be unable to afford. Shattenkirk had one of his best seasons last year racking up 56 points in 80 games with the St Louis Blues and Washington Capitals. Shattenkirk is one of the best defensemen in the league and would be a great (needed) addition to the Wings but unless he took $4 million per year for the rest of his career Detroit won’t be able to throw their hat in the ring.

Like I said at the beginning Detroit need to sit on their hands and not do anything stupid this off-season which should be easy with their lack of money. I am of the opinion that Detroit needs to allow their rookies a chance to help this team improve instead of bringing in a veteran that will stay for a year and make a small impact.