Detroit Red Wings: Three restricted free agents to avoid re-signing
By Bob Heyrman
Christoffer Ehn
It’s a move that may not occur because Christoffer Ehn, in all likelihood, won’t see much of a pay raise during the free agency period. I’ve never been a real big fan of Ehn if I’m completely candid.
He is a liability in the offensive zone, sure he’s not paid to score, but it would be a bonus if the bottom-six forwards were able to chip in on the scoreboard every now and then. Ehn is a defensive-minded forward who can play both center or wing who turns 24-years old at the beginning of April.
The Detroit Red Wings have a plethora of ‘Ehn-type’ forwards who make way to much money. Think of Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm. Both have become boat anchors with their large contracts when one considers how much each earns and the on-ice production they provide the organization.
Sure both are considered good teammates, great personalities in the locker room to aid the young butting stars, but at what price? Sure, if the Red Wings can find a way to shed some bottom-six forwards, Ehn would serve a purpose on the Red Wings. A team can carry a grinding fourth-line player like Luke Glendening, who is exceptional in the faceoff circle and an above-average penalty-killing forward. The problem with Detroit is they deploy way too many players with the same skill-set in which describes a fourth-line forward.
It’s time the Red Wings start to surround the un-tradeable veterans with some up and coming youth prospects such as Michael Rasmussen, Joseph Veleno, Taro Hirose and if everything goes well at the NHL draft Alexis Lafreniere.
This season Ehn has played 54 games, he’s scored 2 goals and 2 assists. His CF% is an abysmal 40.9, and he’s just 42.7% successful in the faceoff circle. He’s averaged just a touch over 10 minutes on the ice this season.