Wings Nation Free Agency Targets: The Top 5 UFA Right Wingers

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6 years ago

Similar to most other writers here at Wings Nation I believe the best course of action for Detroit this offseason is to restrict any free agent signings to 1 (MAYBE 2) year deals. If the Wings target anyone at all it should be players they believe they can flip for a pick or two at the trade deadline. The Wings are still one of the oldest teams in the league and have plenty of young talent who need playing time in order to improve their game. It’s important to remember that the young players on the Wings may be just as valuable as older rental-type players.

Detroit certainly doesn’t need the proverbial “veteran in the room” so they really do not have any need for older players (Dan Girardi? For real?) However, given the front office propensity for obtaining older players after they’ve past their prime I will include a couple of these types of players in this article. Hopefully, if the Wings do decide to pull the trigger on any of these players, Blashill can do as masterful a job with their deployment as he did with Vanek last year.

At least that would maximize their trade value.

5. Tommy Wingels

The 29 year old forward most recently played for the Ottawa Senators after the Sharks dealt him after 37 games. In his 73 games this season Wingels put up a 7-5-12 scoring line. He was on salary for $2.475m. While his scoring totals are less than impressive he is exactly the type of character player that Detroit has shown loyalty to in the past. Wingels is a speedy winger who is good on the forecheck, can play on the penalty kill, and has a lot of experience in the league. As I mentioned before, the Wings have plenty of veterans and while Wingels is an asset in certain areas the Wings already have younger players who can fill those roles.

If the Wings do go after Wingels it should be on a single-year contract, and they should carefully monitor his usage to try to return assets for him by trading him to a younger, inexperienced playoff hopeful at the deadline.

4. Patrick Eaves Nail Yakupov

I was planning on writing a nice paragraph about how I love Patrick Eaves and we could bring him back for no reason other than to show the kids how to grow a proper beard but apparently he’s too busy waking up to duck-filled front lawns to be concerned with the Wings…

Brock Seguin recently tackled the idea of signing Nail Yakupov and concluded that it might be worth a shot. I agree. A former number one overall pick, Yakupov has tons of talent and after scoring only 9 points last year on a $2.5m salary, he would likely be a highly affordable singing. Yakupov is only 23 and would perhaps benefit from playing alongside a group of high-speed, youthful kids like Larkin and AA. For a more in-depth look at the idea, check out Brock’s article. His agent is also one Igor Larionov so maybe that will work in the Wings favour (although he has apparently expressed interest in Vancouver already.)

3. Justin Williams

At 35 years of age Williams is definitely a veteran in the league. Frankly I’m surprised he’s only that old because it feels like he’s been around forever. Williams is coming off a 48 point season and seems to still have some hockey left in him. He certainly has the ability to produce and also seems to elevate the game of whoever he’s playing with. He also has a well-deserved reputation for performing in clutch situations.

If the Wings could get Williams at a reasonable contract (term AND money) I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him on in the hopes of dealing him at the deadline. He is exactly the type of rental playoff-bound teams look for. However, he would receive a decent amount of interest on the free agent market and he was on a more expensive $3.25m contract last season. He would likely command similar money on a short-term deal and the Wings are up against the salary cap as it is. Bringing him on would be tough, but potentially worth it.

2. Radim Vrbata

This is, admittedly, a bit of a long shot since Vrbata has openly expressed his desire to stay in Arizona. Vrbata had a very good year with the Coyotes, and if used properly, seems set up to have another good year next season. Vrbata had 55 points in 81 games in the 2016/17 campaign. It is likely that Arizona makes a strong attempt at a re-sign given the relative youth of their team and Vrbata’s demonstrated leadership and scoring ability.

Vrbata is the rare older player that I think might actually benefit the Wings. He has a scoring touch and may help re-spark the struggling Dylan Larkin. He played last year on a $1.0m contract, and will likely bump back up to a more fitting price-point. He struggled significantly in 2015/16 with the Canucks but rebounded very well under Dave Tippett, and I think would perform similarly under Blashill.

1. Alexander Radulov

Many people were unsure what to think when Radulov made his return to the NHL after 4 seasons at CSKA Moscow in the KHL. When initially looking for teams to sign with there were many rumours that the Wings were very interested. Radulov ultimately went with the money to Montreal where he made a healthy $5.75m last season. Teams were skeptical last year and wanted him on a short-term contract. He will likely be looking for at least moderately more term this time around, having put up 54 points in 76 games in Montreal.

The Wings could certainly find a spot for the 30 year old, but the difficulty will be in fitting him in under the cap. Radulov will almost certainly get a raise, and is reportedly asking for $7m. The Wings would need to clear space for him, and that might be more trouble than it’s worth given the few years it will take to re-tool. While Radulov would be fun (and definitely a valuable trading asset…) it is unlikely the Wings manage to land him.

All in all, I think it will most likely be a relatively quiet UFA period for Detroit and I think that’s a good thing. The Wings are already loaded with veterans and have a surplus of youth who also need playing time. It’s time to let the kids get some experience during what we’re already anticipating will be some difficult years.

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