Detroit Red Wings
2026-06-19
Detroit Red Wings are about $2 million short of reaching the NHL's $76.9 million salary floor for the 2026-27 season. The team has $29 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, and general manager Steve Yzerman will have to make some key decisions to improve the roster. Dylan Larkin, the team's captain, is scheduled to be the third-highest-paid player next season, with a cap hit of $8.7 million. But with Larkin's trade request, the Red Wings could bring in a franchise-shifting haul for their captain this offseason. And with players like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond under contract until 2031 and 2032, respectively, the team has a solid core to build around. The Red Wings have most of their core players signed for the 2026-27 season, including Larkin, Raymond, Seider, forward Alex Debrincat, and goalie John Gibson. But there are a few key free agents worth mentioning, including 37-year-old Patrick K. The team's offseason strategy will depend on how they want to approach Larkin's trade request and how they plan to use their cap space. So the next few weeks will be crucial for the Red Wings as they look to improve their roster and make a push for the playoffs. The NHL salary cap is set to surpass $100 million for the first time next season, giving Yzerman more opportunities to make moves. But with the salary floor in mind, the Red Wings will have to spend at least $2 million to get over the threshold. This could be done by signing restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a new contract. The Red Wings will have to be strategic with their cap space, but with the right moves, they could make a significant improvement to their roster. The team's fans will be watching closely as the offseason unfolds, hoping to see some key additions to the roster. With the NHL free agency set to begin on July 1, the Red Wings will have to act quickly to make their moves.