From The Silky Mitten State: Of their seven unrestricted free agents, which are the Red Wings' biggest priorities to retain?
On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, Connor Earegood and I fielded our first mailbag questions, one of which concerned the Red Wings class of seven unrestricted free agents: David Perron, Patrick Kane, Daniel Sprong, Christian Fischer, Austin Czarnik, Shayne Gostisbehere, and James Reimer. Among that cohort, which players should be Detroit's biggest priorities to retain?
In answering this question, Connor and I sought to balance present fit and role, realistic estimates of a potential cap hit on a new deal, and roster needs moving forward.
As a starting point, it seems reasonable to assume that the Red Wings will be unlikely to retain BOTH Perron and Kane, prompting a small debate about the relative value of Perron's work rate, leadership, and tenacity against Kane's distinguished offensive gifts.
Of Sprong and Fischer, we determined that Fischer would be the likelier candidate to re-sign because of his present role and the fact that he could be kept for a lesser cap hit than Sprong. Fischer has been a central part of Detroit's third line, while Sprong has been a regular scratch down the stretch.
We also considered Czarnik's potential future and Gostisbehere's, while agreeing that Reimer is unlikely to remain a Red Wing.
For a sample of our conversation, check out the clip below: