The Red Wings, if they were going to get in on unrestricted free agents, had very specific needs and targets. First, they needed a backup goalie and aggressively pursued Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier. Robin Lehner visited Detroit.



NHL free agency officially begins at noon ET on Sunday, so deals for Red Wings free agents, aside from their own players, can’t be done until then. Any framework for a new contract is just that, technically.



But when the opening bell rings, expect the Red Wings to check some boxes right away. According to multiple sources, Detroit is expected to sign Bernier to a three-year contract worth around $3 million per season. Their other target, Hutton, is expected to sign with the Buffalo Sabres, in part because he’ll have more of an opportunity to start and be the No. 1 guy.



In Bernier, the Red Wings will be getting a goalie more than capable of spelling Jimmy Howard, and he will be the only NHL goalie signed beyond this...