from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
There are only a few potential “marquee” unrestricted free agents, with center Taylor Hall of Arizona and defensemen Alex Pietrangelo of St. Louis and Krug topping the list.
If the Red Wings were to make a splash in free agency, Krug likely is the only high-end player they would have a chance of signing.
The salary cap will remain flat at $81.5 million for 2020-21. Uncertainty about revenues moving forward (how many games will be played next season, and whether fans will be in attendance) could prompt some clubs with cap space to avoid pursuing higher-priced free agents, limiting the market.
The Red Wings have plenty of cap space and need help everywhere, particularly on defense and in goal. Despite finishing with by far the worst record in the league and being in the middle of a rebuild, they surely will make a pitch for Krug if he hits the market. He is from Livonia and played at Michigan State, which could help their cause. He played for Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill in 2008-09 with the USHL Indiana Ice, winning the Clark Cup championship....
My guess is Krug remains in Boston, forcing the Red Wings to pursue one or two second- or third-tier free-agent defensemen, or perhaps use some of their draft picks to trade for one.
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