Getting younger in Hockeytown

After falling against the eventual Stanley Cup champs in the Eastern conference Finals, the Philadelphia Flyers, GM Cyr decided it was time to test the market with his key veteran players.  Following Marty St. Louis who announced this would be his last season and who was traded to LA earlier this summer,  Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterbeg, Brooks Orpik and Dennis Seidenberg were also sent to the Kings    "If we couldn't get what we were looking for, these guys would still be here for another Stanley Cup run in 2015-16, it was a hard decision and our fans probably won't like it but it'll guarantee the Wings a bright future. 

Nazem Kadri is heading to Detroit, part of numerous trade rumours in the past year, it became obvious he wasn't part of the Kings' plans for the future.  " We think Nazem can get back on track here in Detroit, he's only 24yo and he was drafted 7th overall, this player has too much talent not to succeed."  Alex Wennberg was also part of the transaction with Los Angeles, drafted 2 year ago (14th overall) the 20yo rookie seems to be ready to contribute at the NHL level already. 

"We were looking to get stronger defensively, depth was a problem for us at that position and Nesterov was the major reason why we decided to move Orpik and Seidenberg, we had no intention to trade him back, he would have been a Red Wings for years to come but we got an offer from the Islanders just 24 hours before the Entrydraft, an offer we couldn't refuse.  Nestorov, Rattie and a 3^rd round pick have been traded for 4 picks, we’ve used one of those picks to select Ilya Samsonov (17^th overall).  Fucale was on the market and after the departure of Markstrom we were desperatly seeking a first round pick between 16th and 22nd to have a shot at Samsonov, so when we got this offer from New York, it was a no brainer."  The other picks acquired from the Islanders were used to draft;  Nick Merkley(27^th), Sebastian Aho (37^th) and Jordan Greenway (53th).  

The 7th pick overall of this year’s draft was also acquired in the deal with the Kings, after trading Nestorov it became evident the Wings would draft a defenseman, Zachary Werenski was selected by Detroit.  "We think Werenski will make the big step to the NHL really soon, within 2 years we hope to see him on our line up.  Don't forget Rinat Valiev in all this, I think this kid is underrated, he's big, skilled and agressive, our fans will like him!"  The Wings also got the Kings' first round pick next yearwhich is believed to be a late pick considering all the bold acquisitions Los Angeles have made this summer.  “With Pavel, Henrik, Dennis, Marty and Brooks in LA there’s no doubt in my mind the Kings now have one of the best teams in the West and are now Cup Contenders.

Mat Stajan was also traded for late picks. “we needed to make room for a guy like Mark Scheifele, with Kadri now in Detroit we had too many centermen.” Veteran Brad Boyes and future Hall Of Famer, Jaromir Jagr will join the Red Wings this season.  “We can’t tell for next seasons, but Jaromir and Brad will definitely play an important role with the Wings this year, this team’s really young and we’ll need the experience and leadership of these guys.  Depending on how they adjust during training camp, we might keep Jonathan Drouin and Wennberg with the team this season.”  Jay Beagle who spent the entire season with the Griffins last year could also get the call for a full time job with the Wings this year.  “We will have to adjust that’s for sure but Crosby and Tavares can lead that team to the playoffs.  Players like Huberdeau, MacKinnon and Hamilton will get way more ice time, it’s time for them to take over the reins of the this team!”  There’s still one spot available for a defenseman on Detroit’s Top 6 defensive squad, GM Cyr didn’t mention if the Wings will try to acquire someone before the training camp, at first sight, they don’t have anybody ready in Grand Rapids to fill up that spot.  Cam Talbot who was on the trade market this summer could be used to get this defenseman unless GM Cyr is not totally confident about Quick’s work and might want to wait a little while before trading Talbot.

“We will need Jonathan (Quick) to do what he did for us 2 years ago, he was sensational and with a young team like ours, he’ll have to steal a few games for us this year”.