Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning 2-3-16

Tomas Jurco couldn't secure a regular spot in the lineup with the Red Wings in 2015-16, and now he has more competition.

(AP file photo)

The Detroit Red Wings have too many forwards and not enough roster spots, which should make for some interesting decisions after training camp and the preseason, if players aren't moved before then.

They would like to trade one or two in a package for a top-pair (or No. 3) puck-moving defenseman. If they can't, they might look to move somebody for a draft pick.

Injuries could provide a temporary solution. They'll be without Teemu Pulkkinen for the start of the season following shoulder surgery.

Otherwise, they might lose a player or two on waivers.

MLive readers asked what the future holds for some of these players.

Q: I don't understand what the Wings see in Pulkkinen (one-dimensional player) or (Tomas) Jurco (ineffective player). Can you shed some light? - John

A: It was easy to see the potential before last season. Pulkkinen was a prolific scorer in the AHL and his booming right-handed shot provided a different dimension. Jurco also flourished in Grand Rapids and brings a combination of skill and size, which he showed the second half of 2013-14.

Their stock dropped in 2015-16. Some would argue they weren't given a good chance or slotted on the right lines. But they didn't seize what opportunity they were given. I don't think either has a future with the organization. I could see them being traded or one being selected by Las Vegas in next summer's expansion draft.

Q: Do you know where Martin Frk fits in with the Red Wings? I know he had a very good year at Grand Rapids. Do not hear much talk about him like other prospects. - Ford

A: This will be an important camp and preseason for him because he's out of options. They have a glut of forwards, so he'll have his work cut out for him earning a roster spot. The only other alternatives are to trade him in a package for a defenseman or for a draft pick, or try to slip him through waivers. I think he would be claimed.

Q: Do you view the signing of (Thomas) Vanek and (Steve) Ott and the re-signing of (Darren) Helm for five years as a vote of no confidence for what we have in Grand Rapids? Why do you think (Ken) Holland took a 180-degree turn after stating in his season-ending presser that he was going to give the kids an honest opportunity to earn jobs? Even if (Andreas Athanasiou) badly outplays Helm or (Anthony) Mantha badly out-produces Vanek in the preseason we all know who is heading to GR. Mind you, we are not a talented team on the brink of contending for the Cup. We could easily finish in the bottom 10 of the league this season. - Justin

A: It's not the Cup or bust for this team; they're trying to retool while still making the playoffs. They value that 25-year streak and will try to do everything they can to extend it. They believe those signings will help.

After the signings, Holland said the kids still will have an opportunity to make the team in camp.

I think they feel Mantha needs a little more seasoning in Grand Rapids, which is where he'll probably start, unless they have a rash of injuries. If Athanasiou, who proved during the second half that he is NHL-ready, has a good preseason and is still sent down due to numbers (like Gustav Nyquist was in 2013) that would be a mistake.

They've had success with reclamation projects, like Daniel Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson. Vanek has more offensive ability than either of those two had.

Ott is a fourth-line player, so he won't be the reason Mantha isn't in the lineup.

Q: What has happened to the NHL? There's no way (Luke) Glendening is worth this type of money ($1.8 million cap hit for four years starting in 2017-18). - John

A: That's debatable. The feedback I've gotten from fans has been mixed.

I think the club feels he is underpaid on his current three-year contract, which has one year remaining at a $628,333 cap hit.

Glendening brings more to the table than many give him credit for - he can be matched up against top centers, he was their top faceoff man, he led the team in average shorthanded time on ice and forwards in blocked shots and was second on the club in hits. He also has been a mentor to younger players Dylan Larkin and Riley Sheahan.

Mike Babcock was a big Glendening supporter. Jeff Blashill and Ken Holland also like him. So he must be doing something right.

Q: Any chance Holland goes after (Jimmy) Vesey? A potential top-six forward at under $1 million, why wouldn't you? What about a trade for (Tyson) Barrie instead of (Jacob) Trouba/(Cam) Fowler? - Paul

A: I imagine every team except Nashville (which drafted Vesey and was spurned by him) will pursue the highly touted center from Harvard when he becomes a free agent on Aug. 15.

Buffalo owns his exclusive negotiating rights until then and is one of what appears to be three leading candidates to land him, along with Boston (his hometown team) and Toronto (which hired his father as a scout).

Barrie would be a potential trade target for the Red Wings if Colorado opts to move him.

Q: Will Wings' fans be patient enough to allow Givani Smith to develop into a Brendan Shanahan-type of power forward or will they get sidetracked by Givani's hitting and fighting and expect a Darren McCarty/Bob Probert-type enforcer? - Kurt

A: Any fans expecting Smith to be the next Shanahan or Probert are being just a tad unrealistic.

Q: In your opinion, what the future holds to Ericsson? Do you think Red Wings can get rid of him? - Gregorio

A: I don't know if they want to move him but coming off a bad season and having four years remaining on his contract at a $4.25 million cap hit would make it difficult (in addition to his limited no-trade clause). He doesn't play physical but he is a big body and they like having that size.

Q: I think Ericsson is too much liability for Red Wings. He is to slow, doesn't have any offensive qualities, etc. I know they can't trade him, but can't they move him to injured reserve for four years? Also, if you look at the top teams the last seven years -- Chicago, Pittsburgh, Tampa, N.Y. Rangers, etc. -- what do they do that the Red Wings don't do? They make hockey trades every year. In Red Wings you are safe for lifetime even if you're useless. - Lars

A: They haven't made many player for player trades (not involving prospects) in recent years. Then again, based on some of the questions I get here and comments in the stories, all their players are overpaid and nobody would want them, so maybe that's the reason.

They can't put Ericsson on IR if he's not injured, as you know.

Q: I don't mind Little Caesars as the corporate sponsor of the new rink. But can we get it named Colosseum or Coliseum instead of Arena to go with the Caesars theme? - Mike

A: This is a good idea. But I don't think they can change the name now. They probably already printed the official stationery.

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