It’s still early. It’s just a hair under a whole year away from the 2026 NHL free agency pool, but with the changes to the cap and the CBA, it’s never been a more important time for GMs to look into the future. Undoubtedly, Steve Yzerman will be looking at the 10 expiring contracts on his team and taking a look at who will stay a part of the “Yzerplan” in the future. While there is still plenty of time to change the verdict, consider this a pre-season check-in on how each free agent fits into the long-term future of the team.
*In order of cheapest to most expensive*
Austin Watson: 13 GP, 3G-0A-3P, 1x775k
Watson was as likable as they come for Detroit this season. The big hitter with a big personality was in and out of the lineup last season. When Watson was with Detroit, he came as advertised: a bottom-line, physical presence who made life hard for the other team. Despite his goal total actually being more than Craig Smith and Christian Fischer, he spent most of his season in Grand Rapids. 42 points in 60 AHL games for Watson was solid enough to get him an AHL All-Star nod. Watson cherished the AHL role and gave a real effort each night in Grand Rapids by all accounts. He’s certainly not a needle mover, but Watson does help the young players out in Grand Rapids while being a solid call-up. I see no reason not to give him another year on the same contract.
Verdict: Yes, another 1x775k contract should be fair.
Jacob Bernard-Docker: 40GP, 0G-8A-8P, 1x875k
Bernard-Docker split his 40 games this season between Ottawa and Buffalo. From being paired with Kleven on the bottom pair in Ottawa to Power on the second in Buffalo, JBD got some different looks. While a top 6 spot isn’t promised this season for Bernard-Docker, the bar is low to get one. The Red Wings don’t have a bottom pair, right-shot defenceman coming in the next few years (Axel Sandin-Pelikka is likely a second pair guy with Edvinsson). So if Bernard-Docker can steady the third pair at 25, he may earn himself another contract. Jury’s out, JBD is yet to don the Red Wings jersey, and while all of these may seem early, this one is too early.
Verdict: JBD is TBD, but it’s likely.
Simon Edvinsson: 78GP, 7G-24A-31P, 3x894k
Yes. Simon Edvinsson already looks like the left side of the future in Detroit. Edvinsson has both the physical tools at 6’6″and 209 pounds and the skill to be a top-pair guy. Edvinsson managed to score 31 points all at even strength in his first full season on the 28th-ranked even-strength offence. Defensively, Edvinsson took on top matchups and handled them like a veteran. A no-brainer, pay the 22-year-old what he wants, and take this as the last chance to sign someone to an 8-year deal.
Verdict: An absolute must, 8×8.5m ties him with Seider, which he deserves.
Carter Mazur: 1GP, 0G-0A-0P, 3x905k
Another one that feels way too premature. Mazur played less than 5 minutes before getting injured last season. Mazur was also injured earlier this season, only playing 20 AHL games but recording 15 points. Carter Mazur feels like the perfect bottom-six forward in the Florida Panthers league. Mazur is a high motor, junkyard dog who is willing to muck things up whenever possible. Mazur is also offensively competent with a solid release and decent power on his shot. Mazur has a record of stuffing the box score; he will get you hits, a handful of points, and get in the way of shots when he can. Again, way too early, but even if he has a poor season, I doubt the Red Wings will be giving up on him without more time.
Verdict: Very likely yes, 1×1.75m should be a fair “prove it” deal.
James van Riemsdyk: 71GP, 16G-20A-36P, 1×1.0m + bonuses
JVR is hopefully going to be more than another abbreviation Red Wings fans need to memorize.
Despite his age, JVR has consistently been a solid 30-40 point guy who can net about 15 goals. Van Riemsdyk also brings some flexibility as he can play well on any line on the left wing. Generally, the cheap price is a pretty safe bet for the veteran forward who has a reputation for being well-liked in locker rooms. The biggest question about another contract is if JVR will play another year. He is 36 currently and plays a gritty game that takes a toll on the body. Despite not playing a game yet, his play on the ice is well documented, but it’s unclear how much more of that there will be.
Verdict: Assuming he comes as advertised and plays another year, 1×1.75m should be fair.
Jonatan Berggren: 74GP, 12G-12A-24P, 1×1.825m
It’s starting to feel like Berggren’s last chance. Personally, I do think Berggren was stunted by his teammates. His most common linemates were Compher and Tarasenko, where he didn’t do much offensively, and they certainly didn’t help. However, in the final games, he had over 4 goals per/60 on the top line with Larkin and Raymond. Despite being around 200 pounds, Berggren gets shoved off the puck really easily. His defensive game is also imperfect. This season, with a more offensively gifted bottom 6 and PP2, might be his last chance to prove he can be a 35-40 point offensive specialist. Full of charm and truly a great locker room guy, but can the on-ice play catch up?
Verdict: Unless something changes, it’s best to trade his rights.
Erik Gustafsson: 60GP, 2G-16A-18P, 2×2.0m
Underwhelming is the word that best describes Gustafsson’s first season in Detroit. He wasn’t noticeably bad on most nights, but his pairing with Justin Holl was heavily sheltered. While most of that may have been Holl’s fault, he certainly wasn’t a standout. Offensively, Gustafsson showed flashes of brilliance followed by standard procedure, and defensively, he was pretty comfortably below average. He was solid at the World Championships with 7 points in 10 games, and a better pairing with JBD may help as well, but don’t set a high bar. Detroit doesn’t need another “puck-mover” in the bottom pair.
Verdict: Let him find a better fit elsewhere.
Patrick Kane: 72GP, 21G-38A-59P, 1×3.0m + bonuses
Showtime has been huge for Detroit. He’s played around a point-per-game level and has consistently been one of Detroit’s most clutch players. Kane isn’t good defensively, so he is used in a sheltered role, and most of his production is on the power play, but he provides value there still. Ideally, Kane is on your third line, but because of chemistry with DeBrincat and lack of competition, his top 6 role is still demanding. Kane also seems to have helped guide Lucas Raymond, who has taken leaps in his development since Kane joined the team. All in all, Kane has fought off the injury bug and given Detroit great value. Kane has expressed interest in playing in Detroit for longer and re-upping the one-year deals. Until one side fails the other, he belongs in Detroit.
Verdict: Let showtime continue, 1×4.0m with another bonus structure.
Justin Holl: 73GP, 2G-6A-8P, 3×3.0m
Two seasons ago, Red Wings fans complained about how bad Jeff Petry was playing. Those same Red Wings fans were then excited for Petry to come back and play on the third pair, so they didn’t have to watch Justin Holl. It was possibly Yzerman’s worst move to bring in Holl. Holl hasn’t done much neutral, much less good. Not to beat the dead horse, but defensively, despite being sheltered, Holl is more likely to commit a goal-causing giveaway than a breakout pass. If Holl does manage to get out of the defensive zone, he is pretty much a routine defenceman in the O-zone. I genuinely feel bad for Justin Holl. I do want to believe that his time in the NHL isn’t up, but not only do I doubt the Red Wings will sign him, but I don’t know if anyone will.
Verdict: Not a chance.
Ben Chiarot: 81GP, 4G-9A-13P, 4×4.75m
I feel for the guy. Ben Chiarot has faced plenty of criticism for his play. While it isn’t always pretty, it’s not Ben Chiarot’s fault he’s Detroit’s third-best defenceman. The Red Wings have squeezed a litre of blood from the stone that is Ben Chiarot; he is so far overused and simply not at the point in his career to handle it. Chiarot is forced to play first pair left side in some of the league’s hardest minutes beside Moritz Seider. Chiarot treads water on the top pair, barely, but could be really solid in an easier role. Not to mention, he is one of the more physical players on the team, which helps. Chiarot is a bit of a martyr from some, but the guy is only getting older and is asked to do way too much. If he’s willing to come back after the toughest four years of his career, he could be a really steady bottom-pair presence.
Verdict: Yes, put him in the role he should be playing, 3×3.25m is a fair contract for his play.
There is still plenty of time for all of this to change. Anyone could play their way into or out of a contract, but as of right now, I believe these are all fair assessments of where each player is in their career and where they will be next year. As always, thank you for reading, any questions, comments, thoughts or other will all be read in the box down below.
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