Red Wings: Torey Krug still seems like quite the offseason addition
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings need to make a splash in free agency, adding defender Torey Krug still should be in the mix of discussions.
As the 2019-20 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, the Detroit Red Wings continue to sit on the sidelines from the outside looking in. The reality is that the organization has a plethora of cap room this offseason, and General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman needs to do SOMETHING.
Look no further than homegrown Torey Krug, who has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins who are squaring off with the Carolina Hurricanes. While Krug is looking for redemption after a 2018-19 Stanley Cup Championship loss to the St. Louis Blues, Yzerman should be putting in work.
The hope would be that in discussions with other members of the Red Wings front office, the idea of bringing Krug in or at least making a push to sign him is being brought up. Site Co-Expert Bob Heyrman and I have both tooted the concept of signing Torey Krug around over the past few months, and it should still be considered.
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Krug has spent all nine years in the NHL in a Bruins sweater, and it has been rumored that this may be his last push for a Stanley Cup Championship organization as he may be suiting up elsewhere. Again, another reason for Yzerman to have an offer ready to go when the time comes.
The Bruins currently have 19 players under contract for the 2020-21 season with a projected cap space of just under $16.5 million.
This would most likely be a long term deal rather than a one to a two-year extension for Krug, but keep in mind he was previously on a four-year contract.
Krug’s last deal with the Bruins was a four-year, $21 million contract where he carried an AAV of $5.25 million.
Over the previous four years, Krug has been a two-time all-star putting up 50 points every season, except this past one where he was at 49 (though the season was shortened due to COVID-19).
In his 61 games during the 2019-20 season, Krug put up nine goals and added 40 helpers for his 49 points, just missing that 50 point mark. The offensive upside of Krug is quite attractive for the Red Wings, who would benefit greatly from someone like Krug stepping into the organization.
Krug may not be the most defensively inclined player like that of Alex Pietrangelo from the St. Louis Blues, but anything is better than what the Red Wings have seen the past few seasons defensively. The defense was horrendous in 2019-20, and even a less defensive player like Krug would help.
If Yzerman wants to make a splash in free agency by adding a defenseman, Krug is defensively someone to consider bringing in for this organization. The Red Wings were horrific in 2019-20, and the 2020-21 season should show some strides within the organization.
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The Detroit Red Wings can further these strides by adding key free agents, and Torey Krug is someone to consider.