With writing on the wall for Frk, what should come next for the Red Wings other U25 free-agents

As the NHL trade deadline looms, all the attention has gone to the Red Wings three key pending unrestricted free-agents: Jimmy Howard, Nick Jensen, and Gustav Nyquist. The focus on these three is deservedly so, as their uncertain status in Detroit will play a big role in shaping plans for the Summer of 2019, and ultimately the 2019-20 season.

But it’s easy to forget others in the Red Wings organization are due for a new deal.

We were reminded of that Wednesday afternoon when soon to be restricted free-agent Martin Frk was placed on waivers. While he would go on to clear waivers, Ansar Khan of MLive reports both parties were hoping he would be claimed to get some playing time. While he’ll report to the Grand Rapids for the remainder of the season, the elephant in the room is Detroit will most likely not extend him a qualifying offer when the time comes.

We still, however, lack clarity on the other Red Wings free-agents. All the players listed to become a UFA or RFA are:

I’ll be looking at the players under 25 years old (all of which are RFAs) since development can play a big role in how the Red Wings should approach each one. I’ll outline the circumstances with each one and give my option on whether Detroit should re-sign them or not.

As mentioned before, the writing is on the wall for Frk. The Red Wings forward group is starting to become crowded and he is the odd man out. He is too one-dimensional of a player to make an impact. Moving on would be best for both sides.

The case with Joe Hicketts largely depends on how Detroit manages their defensive group this offseason. They already are struggling to fit Dennis Cholowski and Filip Hronek into the lineup, and with the potential of both Nick Jensen and Niklas Kronwall returning, that makes it hard to justify bringing back the undrafted defensemen.

Hicketts is at a point of development where another stint in Grand Rapids essentially delays the inevitable. There is no positive to being ousted to the AHL. It’s fair to say he’ll at best become a bottom pair defensemen in the NHL, which means it needs to be NHL or bust for the Kamloops, B.C., native. If the Red Wings can’t guarantee him a spot as the 7th defensemen (at worst) next season it is time to part ways.

Yes, you’d be letting a young defensemen with NHL potential out the door, but it’s the team’s responsibility to give its players the best opportunity at success. Hicketts has earned the right to have an NHL job that is his to lose. Not sitting on the outside looking in. You can debate if management should bring it’s UFA blue-liners back or not, but these are just the facts.

Axel Holmstrom, a former 7th round pick, has spent the last two seasons in GR adjusting to the pro game in North America. He has slowly but surely developed into an NHL hopeful. Bottom-6 center is his upside, but he’s still shown enough signs to be re-upped.

Holmstrom’s foot-speed still needs improvement but his hockey IQ leaves reason to believe he can have a chance at being a regular NHLer.

Signed just last season by the Wings, Patrik Rybar has proved to be a much better investment than their previous European endeavor with Matej Machovsky. Rybar provides a solid starter option for the Griffins and at 25 years old and can be mainstay for a few seasons.

While the market might dictate if he will be the best option, I believe a reunion would be more than welcome. With Harri Sateri also a pending free-agent, one of the two will need to return as Kaden Fulcher may still need another season in the ECHL. Rybar being younger and under team control makes him the more attractive net-minder to bring back.

Sadowy is a rough case. Acquired for a 3rd round pick back in 2016 from the San Jose Sharks, Detroit saw a guy torching the OHL. Now in his third season playing pro, he still isn’t progressing, mainly playing in the ECHL. The AHL is still a struggle for him to adjust and at 22, you have to wonder how much longer until he can be a regular in the AHL.

Things just haven’t worked out for Sadowy since being traded. I have to believe a contract proposal is off the table. Maybe consider an AHL deal. Either way, I think Sadowy’s days with the organization are numbered.

Libor Sulak first season in North America hasn’t gone as expected. He went from having a chance at making the Red Wings to having growing pains in GR. At 24 years old, questions about his upside will come into play. But his uptempo style of play leave reason to believe he could mature into a bottom pair defenseman who can chip in offensively.

Re-signing the Czech defenseman seems like a no-brainer to me. Some of you may ask why I feel differently with Hicketts who is two years younger. At the end of the day, Sulak can still benefit from developing in the AHL. Hicketts has nothing left to prove in the minors.

Turgeon has long been envisioned as the Red Wings future 4th line center. His ability to kill penalties carries value to any team, and while he has had a fine go this season, his overall offensive upside makes it hard to think he’ll be extended. As badly as this team needs a youth movement, Turgeon lacks the skating and skill required to be an effective bottom-6 player in the NHL. At some point Detroit needs to start cutting ties with these relationships and this is one I would end.