Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman has his eyes set on Torey Krug

The Detroit Red Wings didn’t make a splash this summer in free agency but prepare yourself for a busy regular season and potentially a hectic summer of 2020.

Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman mentioned heading into the summer that he wasn’t prepared to make a splash type signing just to sign a big name right away after commencing his new job. You’d imagine some GM’s are ambitious to make a blockbuster acquisition as soon as they start a new gig just to create some buzz throughout the fanbase.

Not the legendary Steve Yzerman; he claimed he had a plan. He expressed it would take time, he refused to attach a timeframe to the rebuild, and I condemn him for that. Although I have some questions about his three free-agent signings this summer; I understand them.

There is a difference between understanding what Yzerman is trying to do and agreeing with the signings. Yzerman brought in third pairing defender Patrik Nemeth who is primarily a penalty killer who loves to throw around his weight.

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He is just ‘another’ body for the mix and matched Detroit Red Wings back end. He’s here on a two-year deal. The Wings are likely to move both Mike Green and Trevor Daley at some point this season leaving holes to fill. Yzerman is essentially just bringing in a relatively cheap placemat.

Steve Yzerman brought in a familiar face in center Valtteri Filppula. He’s a two-way center that brings a reliable swiss army knife diversity to the Wings’ lineup. He can play the power-play, penalty kill and anywhere from the second to the fourth line. Along with Frans Nielsen, the veteran will be able to help Dylan Larkin continue to grow as a two-way center. Yzerman also brought in Calvin Pickard— a goaltender to help mentor the organizations top netminder Filip Larsson in Grand Rapids this season.

Many Wings’ fans, me included would have liked to see the Detroit Red Wings attempt to sign defenseman Jake Gardiner this summer. It appears he has hopes of returning to Toronto, and it seems the Wings have their sights set on someone else–perhaps Torey Krug.

Recently various reports have swirled linking the Detroit Red Wings to Boston defenseman Torey Krug. It’s important to mention that head coach Jeff Blashill has a history with the defenseman. Krug played for Blashill as a kid playing junior hockey in Indiana where they won a championship together. Krug had previously mentioned that he owes Jeff a lot for taking a chance on him being a small defenseman. In the past, he’s claimed Blashill molded him into the player he is today– high praise for a first pairing type defenseman.

Another important fact, Krug is from Livonia, Michigan. Last but not least he played his college hockey at Michigan State where he served as the teams’ captain. That’s three significant local ties that may sway Krug into Detroit’s favor over other potential destinations. It appears Steve Yzerman is willing to make a deal with Boston to acquire Krug if he becomes available at any point during the season.

TSN’s Pierre McGuire recently stated Yzerman is likely willing to wait until next summer if need be when Krug hits the open market on July,1st. The expectation is Krug will command a similar deal to Erik Karlsson, perhaps the Wings could land the stellar defender for around $9-million per season over a 7-year deal.

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The mobile 28-year old defender recorded 53 points last season with the Bruins that included 6 goals, and 47 assists. He averaged 21:18 TOI per night while owning a terrific 54.9% Corsi For rating. Throughout eight NHL seasons all with the Bruins, he’s totaled 288 points in 462 career games.

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