Will the Red Wings experience any issues signing Andreas Athanasiou or Anthony Mantha? (The Associated Press)

Cap constraints, tough negotiations ahead?

Q: It seems that all of our young forwards are up for new contracts at the same time. Any problems getting them all signed? Will there be enough cap space or will they need to dump salaries? Can you envision any scenario where they might have to move (Martin) Frk or, I hope not, AA (Andreas Athanasiou) because of money problems? – Mark

A: I don't think we'll see any stalemates that extend into the season, like we did withAthanasiou, which was a rare case. And since Athanasiou is arbitration eligible this summer, if he files, that will assure him of having a contract with the Red Wings by mid-July to early-August, depending on the hearing date. If he doesn't file, the club can file, which again would assure that he'll be in the fold well before training camp.

Frk also is arbitration eligible. Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi are not eligible for arbitration. Perhaps negotiations will extend into late August or even early September with Larkin or Mantha, but I would be surprised if they're not done by camp.

Cap space isn't an issue. Mike Green and Petr Mrazek will come off the books, creating $10 million to ink those young forwards plus backup goalie Jared Coreau. And don't forget that whatever these players sign for, you're only adding the raise to the cap, not the full amount (for instance, if Athanasiou signs for $3 million a year, they'd be adding only $1.62 million to the cap, since he's at $1.38 million currently).

Also, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in December that the cap is projected to rise to between $78 million and $82 million, up from $75 million.

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Mike Green will make his second career All-Star Game appearance on Jan. 28. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Who was best choice to represent at All-Star Game?

Q: Why (Mike) Green (as Red Wings' All-Star selection)? Maybe to boost his trade value? I would have liked to seen (Henrik) Zetterberg get a chance with his career winding down. Even Larkin would have been a good pick, especially to see him in the fastest skater competition again. – John

A: I don't think being named an All-Star will affect Green's trade value. Anyway, the NHL's operations department assembles the roster, consulting with clubs in some instances, after fan voting for the captains.

Larkin would have been the Red Wings' most deserving selection, but the Atlantic Division is stacked at forward with Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Auston Matthews, Brad Marchand, Jack Eichel and Aleksander Barkov.

Zetterberg has been selected a couple times before, but oddly enough, both times he had to bow out a few days before due to an injury. He might be a little banged up, but even if completely healthy, I think it's safe to say he doesn't want to be there. At his age, he's much better off resting. And three-on-three would be a further grind for him.

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Dylan Larkin, in all likelihood, will be the Red Wings' captain one day. (The Associated Press)

Possibilities for next captain, alternate

Q: I noticed last week you wondered whether this would be Zetterberg's final season. If that's the case, they'll be naming a new captain sooner than expected. I imagine it comes down to only two possibilities – Larkin or (Justin) Abdelkader. Who would you project as the next captain? For that matter, what about the (alternate captain) after (Niklas) Kronwall retires? – J.S.

A: My guess is that Zetterberg plays one more season. After all, he has appeared in 205 consecutive games, the team's longest current streak, since sitting out the meaningless season finale at Carolina on April 11, 2015. I would be surprised if he plays in 2019-20, when he'll be 39 and his salary dips to $1 million.

However, if goes on long-term injured reserve for the final two seasons (which might be a hard sell to the NHL), he'll still be on the team, technically, and I don't think they would name another captain. I think they would wait to do that until Zetterberg officially retires. I think they'd just go with three alternate captains. Larkin would surely get an 'A.' If they need another alternate (when Kronwall retires), I could see it being Jonathan Ericsson, if he's still around. If not, then Anthony Mantha, if they feel he's ready for it, which they hope he will be eventually.

As for the next captain, if Zetterberg officially retires before his contract is up, I think it will be Abdelkader. If Zetterberg officially retires in 2021, I think Larkin will be the next captain, at the ripe old age of 25. In either case, Larkin will be a future captain here.

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Jared Coreau was hold and cold during his stint with the Red Wings in 2016-17. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Sorting out goaltending situation

Q: It's safe to assume Petr Mrazek is done here. Couple things, is Jared Coreau good enough to be a regular backup in the NHL season or do they seek an upgrade through trade or free agency? And if it is Coreau, is he Jimmy Howard's heir apparent? – Mack.

A: Coreau will be backing up next season, I believe. He has earned that opportunity by helping the Grand Rapids Griffins win the Calder Cup championship last season, even though he hasn't been quite as sharp this year (2.70 goals-against average, .909 save percentage, compared to 2.33 and .917 in the AHL last season). But some of that likely is due to the Griffins not being as strong.

Coreau played 14 games with the Red Wings last season. His numbers weren't good (3.46 GAA. ,887 save percentage). But it was strange because he looked real good in some games (shutouts against the Kings and Canadiens and a 1-0 overtime loss to the Rangers) and pulled in others (vs. the Sharks and Bruins).

I think next season, as Howard's backup, will indicate what his future is with the organization. Howard will be 35 when his contract expires at the end of the 2018-19 season. If he's playing well at that point, they might sign him to a short-term extension for a lower salary than his current $5.3 million.

(Thanks for participating. If you have a Red Wings-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com)