from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
As the July 1 deadline for the launch of unrestricted free agency inthe NHL draws nearer, it’s fairly certain that the Detroit Red Wings will not be retaining any of their UFAs.
Not that the club didn’t try to keep a couple of players in the fold.
According to an NHL source, the Red Wings were making contract offers to two of their impending UFAs. However, both Pius Suter and Alex Chiasson were opting to pass on the offers presented to them by the Detroit brass.
Suter was offered a one-year pact to play a third season in Detroit. However, the veteran forward wants to see if he can get a multi-year deal on the open market.
The offer to Chiasson was a one-year, two-way deal. Again, according to the source, Chiasson’s camp wants to see if he can secure a full NHL contract from another club by entering into the UFA fray on July 1....
As for Detroit’s other UFAs – goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg, defensemen Jordan Oesterle, Robert Hagg and Mark Pysyk and forward Adam Erne, the NHL source indicated none had received a contract offer to date from the Red Wings.
I have no problem with any of this. Suter for any longer blocks Kasper's path. They already have Larkin, Copp, Veleno (but not Rasmussen who has proven time and time again a better winger than a centre).
Chiasson on a two way deal is fine too. If either guy finds a better deal out there: send them a congratulations text and wish you the best going forward.
I am happy they are finally ready to give up on Erne and Jordan Oesterle. It was clear that Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg weren't the long-term answers either.
So lets see what they do with 2nd pair RHD and the backup goalie. This UFA class is incredible thin.
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