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Detroit Red Wings: Busy month ahead for the team and league

By Mike Rizzo

Apr 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A octopus outside of Joe Louis Arena prior to game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A octopus outside of Joe Louis Arena prior to game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Stanley Cup Final underway and the calendar about to turn to June, things are about to get busy for the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL.

The Detroit Red Wings long offseason is about to get a lot busier. With the calendar turning to June this week and the official offseason right around the corner, things are about to pick up.

After the Stanley Cup Final ends in mid June, the NHL will have the Expansion Draft, NHL Awards, NHL Draft, the release of the 2017-18 schedule and the start of Free Agency.

Not to mention all the possible trades that could be made during that time. The Red Wings have a log jam at goalie and may move a goalie before the Expansion Draft.

Could the Red Wings find a taker for Jimmy Howard? Howard still has two years left on his contract and a $5 million cap hit next season.

Petr Mrazek, though, is eight years younger than Howard and most likely will fetch a bigger haul.

Wednesday June 21st will be a busy day as the Vegas Golden Knights reveal their Expansion Draft selections during the NHL Awards show. Two days later the NHL has the Draft.

The Red Wings have the ninth overall pick and eleven total picks in the draft. What the Red Wings do in this draft will dictate how quickly they can rebuild.

Free Agency will finish up the busy month for the Red Wings and the NHL. Kevin Shattenkirk is the best defensemen on the free agent market this year but I think they should stand pat instead of adding another big, and potentially bad, contract. With the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Calder Cup Finals, the Red Wings would be smart to bring up some of their prospects next season. Evgeny Svechnikov is the main Griffin that I would like to see up full time next season.

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The Red Wings will most likely not be a playoff team next season, so they should use that time to see what they have in their prospects.

Who do you think the Red Wings lose in the Expansion Draft? Also what moves do you want them to make this offseason? Let us know by leaving a comment below or connecting with us on Twitter or Facebook.

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