While Mitch Marner may be the biggest fish on the open free agent market this summer, one prominent NHL analyst does not feel Detroit is a viable option for him.
The Detroit Red Wings have now gone 9 years without making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the longest drought in the team’s history.
Given that the Red Wings are about to celebrate their centennial season since its inception in 1926, that’s a remarkable and eyebrow-raising figure.
The overwhelming assumption is that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is feeling pressure to start delivering on the renowned “Yzerplan” that began in April 2019, despite inheriting a difficult situation from former GM Ken Holland.
Detroit may have the opportunity to sign one of the most high-profile free-agent forwards in recent memory, as all indicators point to Mitch Marner leaving divisional rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Darren Dreger, an NHL expert who is well-known and respected in hockey circles, does not believe Detroit is a viable destination for Marner.
Dreger stated on TSN’s Overdrive segment that he does not believe Marner would want to make the short journey from Toronto to Detroit in free agency.
If you’re Marner, I’d say the list is probably short. Every player, UFA, wants to move to a low-tax state…there are several teams. That’s the best case scenario. As important as money is, it cannot be the only consideration. Otherwise, you’re looking at a considerably longer list of teams.
The Detroit Red Wings would love to acquire a player like Mitch Marner. Is Marner just looking to go down the highway to Detroit? Probably not.
Marner’s deal, which had an AAV (average annual value) of just under $11 million, expires on July 1, and the Red Wings (and other teams) would have to pay a high price to lure him.
What are the chances of the Red Wings being one of those teams?
Leave a Reply