Alexander-Edler

If the Canucks decide to trade defenseman Alexander Edler (23), and he agrees to be moved, the Red Wings would be interested.

(AP file photo)

The free-agent class gets thinner and less impressive each year as teams tend to lock up their key players to long-term deals.

That doesn't leave a lot to choose from on July 1 and inflates the prices for the few quality players available.

The Detroit Red Wings are in the market for a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward. They will explore free agency, but some M-Live readers wonder if the team should try to swing a trade or two.

Due to the relatively weak market, many around the league, including Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, expect more than usual trade activity in the days preceding free agency. Talks are expected to pick up when GMs meet this week in New York during the Stanley Cup finals, leading perhaps to several moves at the entry draft in Philadelphia June 27-28.

Who might the Red Wings pursue? Readers had some suggestions.

Q. I think Nashville is almost certain to trade Shea Weber. I don't see them paying his $13 million bonus due (July 1). I expect Holland to make a very hard push to land him. I think (coach Mike) Babcock has put serious pressure on Holland to improve the team; otherwise he leaves at the end of this season. Who do the Wings have to give up for Weber and what other teams will be in the mix?

--bcoop444

A. For what it's worth, Predators GM David Poile said after the season he isn't trading Weber. If he decides to move him, surely the Red Wings would be interested. But I think the cost would be too high for them. What would it take? That's anybody's guess. It cost promising prospect Calle Jarnkrok and a second-round pick for David Legwand, so you can only imagine what it would take to land Weber, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound Norris Trophy finalist who's tough, strong defensively and capable of scoring 20 goals a year with a booming right-handed shot. Who would be in the mix? Philadelphia, which signed him in 2012 to a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet, for sure, and anybody else who's not concerned about his contract and is willing to relinquish quality assets. I don't think what Babcock may or may not do after the season factors into the Red Wings' personnel decisions.

Q. The Red Wings obviously need a right-handed top-four defenseman. Who are the most realistic candidates that the Wings could go for and what would it take to possibly trade for Shea Weber if he becomes available? If they don't trade for one then who is the most likely free-agent defensemen they could go after? If the Wings keep Johan Franzen and he decides to retire before his contract is up would there be any recapture penalty against the Wings' cap?

--Nadeem

A. See above for Weber. Right-handed free-agent options include Matt Niskanen (likely cost prohibitive), Dan Boyle (short-term option), Anton Stralman, Derek Morris, Tom Gilbert and Matt Greene. Left-handed shooting free-agent options include Andrei Markov.

If Franzen retires before his contract expires in 2020 the Red Wings would be subject to a recapture penalty. Use Capgeek.com's recapture calculator to determine the amount.

Q. What are the chances the Red Wings pursue a trade for a right-handed defenseman such as Dustin Byfuglien, Cody Franson or Shea Weber?

--Tristan

A. See above for Weber. They have shown interest in Franson in the past, but I don't think Toronto would deal with Detroit now that they're in the same division. If Winnipeg looks to move Byfuglien I'm sure the Red Wings would inquire. Perhaps another possibility is Mike Green of Washington.

Q. The Red Wings got pushed around by the Bruins in the first round. Is getting a big-bodied defenseman like Shea Weber or Dustin Byfuglien an absolute necessity?

--Andrew

A. It would be nice, but I wouldn't call it an "absolute necessity." Did the Bruins beat the Red Wings simply because they were more physical, or were they the better overall team? Boston also was more physical against Montreal, but that didn't help.

Q. How much longer will the Wings take the "safety first" approach to keeping assets guarded and signing non-impact free agents? I would suggest that the only way they are truly going to get over the hump is by making a trade for a need that cannot be filled through free agency or from Grand Rapids. Dustin Byfuglien? Zach Bogosian? Cody Franson? To me these are all legitimate choices that in the long term make this club better.

--Saskatoon Wingnutt

A. You might be right about needing to make a trade to acquire an impact player, considering the shallow pool of free agents. The Red Wings have accumulated a lot of promising prospects, particularly on defense. They won't have room to keep all of them, so a couple could be packaged in trades.

Q. After Holland gave up our best center prospect and a second-rounder for a marginal upgrade in Legwand, I am very concerned he will trade (Tomas) Tatar and/or (Gustav) Nyquist and more for somebody like (Christian) Ehrhoff or (Alexander) Edler, which would be a marginal improvement on defense. Do you see Holland being reasonable in trades this summer or can you see him trading tons of great prospects for some marginal upgrades to please Babcock so he does not leave next summer?

--V Palmer

A. Again, I don't think they're under pressure to make a bold move just because Babcock might leave. And Holland isn't going to be trading "tons of great prospects." I think Nyquist is virtually untouchable; it would take a tremendous offer for them to consider parting with him. Tatar probably isn't as untouchable, but I'm sure they would think long and hard before moving a 23-year-old who appears capable of scoring 25 goals.

Q. Radim Vrbata scores a decent amount of points and could be a steal on the free-agent market. Do you see the Red Wings pursuing him to a contract around three years and $3 million per season? Trevor Linden says the Canucks are not trading Alexander Edler. However, he would fit well on the Detroit blue line and the Wings have shown considerable interest in him. If Detroit offered Vancouver the right deal could you see Edler coming to Detroit?

--Blake

A. I think Linden is sincere when he said he doesn't plan on asking Edler to waive his no-trade clause and wants the 28-year-old defenseman to be part of the team's future. But if the Canucks have a change of heart and Edler agrees to a move, I believe the Red Wings would pursue him aggressively. He has five years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $5 million.

As for Vrbata, he turns 33 on Friday. I'd hesitate to make a three-year commitment to him if it diminishes Tomas Jurco's role or forces him to spend next season in Grand Rapids. I'd rather see them give Teemu Pulkkinen and/or Anthony Mantha a shot in 2015-16.

Q. Do you think the Wings should try to trade for Edler or (Keith) Yandle, and if so who would it cost to land one of them?

--Jeff

A. Yes, they should try. What would it cost? We can only guess. For Edler, I imagine the Canucks would seek a player who could help them now. For Yandle, perhaps the cost-conscious Coyotes would prefer a good prospect and a first-round pick.

Q. What are the chances of the Red Wings adding Keith Yandle via trade to their back end?

--Umair

A. If they are unable to land a top-four defenseman through free agency and Yandle were available through trade, I'm sure the Red Wings would be interested. Even though he shoots left, he's a skilled player who would boost the power play. Yandle, 27, has two years remaining on his contract at a $5.25 million cap hit.

Q. Do the Wings have any interest in (Jason) Spezza? If so, what would it likely take in a trade to acquire him? One year left on his deal at $7 million (cap hit, actual salary is $4 million).

--Dan

A. I doubt it. Some reports suggest it could take a roster player, a decent prospect and a first-round pick to land Spezza. That's too much to relinquish for someone who could be a one-year rental. They would be better off waiting until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2015.

Q. Even though they are in the same division, is there any possibility that the Red Wings make an offer to Ottawa for Jason Spezza?

--RedZeppelin96

A. That's the other factor in a potential Spezza trade – would the Senators deal within the division? Probably only if the offer was much better than what any non-divisional opponent was proposing.

Thanks for the questions. I'll answer more next week.

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