Detroit Red Wings: 3 bad contracts worth adding to enhance draft capital

The Detroit Red Wings will enter the offseason with approximately $48 million in salary-cap space per CapFriendly.  That’s the league’s most aside from the Seattle Kraken, who has yet to field a roster via the upcoming NHL expansion draft, which takes place this coming July 21st.

It’s a Red Wings roster that is less than desirable by most but with Steve Yzerman at the helm and seeing the team he built in Tampa Bay win back-to-back Stanley Cups; one can certainly be optimistic moving forward.

Before the start of last season, Yzerman made a deal with the New York Rangers.  Detroit absorbed veteran Marc Staal’s lucrative deal that had one year remaining at $5.7 million.  Plus, the Red Wings added New York’s second-round pick in the upcoming 2021 NHL Entry Level Draft in exchange for ‘future considerations,’ which typically leads to something like a future seventh-round pick or cash.

The Detroit Red Wings enter the 2021 NHL Entry Level Draft with a boatload of draft capital, but why not try and add more?  Detroit currently holds the sixth overall pick, plus the 23rd overall pick via Washington.

In addition to those two first-rounders, the Red Wings currently have three second-round selections, plus two picks in each of the third, fourth and fifth rounds.  Detroit has their own sixth-round choice and currently no selection in the final round of the draft.

I expect the Detroit Red Wings to absorb a bad deal or two this offseason, allowing the organization to continue stockpiling draft capital.

Here are three bad contracts worth adding to help enhance their draft capital.