How many changes will take place with the Red Wings next season? (The Associated Press)

Readers look ahead to 2018-19 season

The trade deadline has passed, the Detroit Red Wings are pretty much out of the playoff picture and MLive readers are turning their attention to next season in this week's mailbag.

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Danny DeKeyser has four years remaining on his contract and a no-trade clause. (The Associated Press)

Changes looming on defense?

Q: What is the Wings' defense going to look like next season? I think they shouldn't bring back (Mike) Green, buy out (Jonathan Ericsson), let (Niklas) Kronwall retire, trade one of (Trevor) Daley or (Danny) DeKeyser and bring up (Joe) Hicketts and (Filip) Hronek. We need changes and it starts on D. -- Sal

A: You might be batting 0 for 7. I think they will re-sign Green. I highly doubt they'll buy out Ericsson (two years remaining at a $4.25 million cap hit), who's had a decent season. Kronwall has played 60 of the 63 games, managing his chronically bad knee, so there's no reason to believe he won't return next season for the final year of his contract.

Daley has a good cap hit ($3.17 million) for a puck-moving defenseman who logs 20 minutes a game in your top four and plays against other teams' top lines. DeKeyser has played better the second half of the season, and even if they wanted to move him, I think it would be difficult with four years remaining at a cap hit of $5 million. Plus, he has a no-trade clause, and there's no reason to believe this Michigan native would waive it. I think the only way Hicketts or Hronek makes the season-opening roster is if they beat out Nick Jensen to play in the top six.

I think they'll try to move Xavier Ouellet in the off-season. That might be the only change on the blue line. I agree some change is needed and that relying solely on internal improvement is not the way to go.

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Mike Green likes being in Detroit and the Red Wings are hoping to re-sign him. (The Associated Press)

Mike Green's stay in Detroit to be extended?

Q: Can someone explain why they're trying to re-sign a 32-year-old Mike Green when they need to get younger and rebuild? -- Steve

A: Their thinking is if they let Green walk it will be difficult to replace his puck-moving ability, offense and spot on the power play. Nobody from Grand Rapids is ready to step into that role and the free-agent market is thin. In fact, Green (29 points) is the second-leading scorer among impending UFA D-men, behind Washington's John Carlson (50 points).

Ideally, they'll ink Green for two years at less than the $6 million he's currently earning.

Some believe they should completely tank and ride the kids, but they want to win and believe Green gives them a better chance to win.

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Defenseman Erik Karlsson will be the free-agent prize of 2019 if he hits the open market. (The Associated Press)

Karlsson potential prize of 2019 free-agent market

Q: I'm hearing Erik Karlsson to Detroit in 2019, when he's unrestricted. -- T.J.

A: I'm not hearing that. I'm hearing that just because a player is Swedish it doesn't mean he wants to come here.

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The Red Wings might get another look at Joe Hicketts this season. (The Associated Press)

Two recalls remaining

Q: Who are the Wings going to use their final two recalls on? -- Jay

A: Coach Jeff Blashill said this week they plan on giving 2015 top pick Evgeny Svechnikov a look before the season, despite his struggles (seven goals, 21 points in 50 games).

I think they'll give Joe Hicketts another look. He played only one game his first time up.

The other two recalls were used on Tyler Bertuzzi and Jared Coreau, who were assigned to Grand Rapids Monday, so they could be eligible for the AHL playoffs, and were recalled the same day.

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Would Trevor Daley (left) be a better option than Niklas Kronwall (right) on the power play? (The Associated Press)

Changes needed on power play

Q: How much of the inept power play has to do with coaching? No coaching staff changes resulted in the exact same people in charge for two straight years. Which includes thinking that Kronwall is a good option on the blueline of a power play. Maybe by playing Kronwall with Ouellet, playing (David) Booth and trading (Petr) Mrazek is a sign that this regime needs a change. -- Bill

A: The power play struggles (22nd in the NHL at 18.5 percent) are a combination of coaching and lack of execution. I think they have the personnel to have a better power play, with the exception of another point man. They should have replaced Kronwall long ago. Problem is, they don't have many other viable options. I'd have used Trevor Daley more often.

If this regime needs a change, the issues go beyond the ones you stated.

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Petr Mrazek could increase his value with the Flyers. (The Associated Press)

What future holds for Petr Mrazek

Q: Do you have any thoughts on there being a chance we resign (Petr) Mrazek as an unrestricted free agent to a more reasonable contract during the off-season (a contract that shows he's clearly the backup goalie?) I was picturing an ideal situation in which we get a draft pick for him, then as a UFA we re-sign him to something around $1.5 million since we no longer have to (make) him a qualifying offer. So next year we have the same goalie situation as this year, but one of them is much cheaper and we got a pick out of it, too. Wishful thinking? -- Tyler

A: Interesting concept. The Red Wings have a history of bringing back players after they've gone elsewhere, including several goalies (Dominik Hasek, Chris Osgood, Manny Legace, Ty Conklin, Joey MacDonald and Tom McCollum).

I don't think it will happen with Mrazek. The strained relationship between Mrazek and the front office/coaching staff improved this season – after he was exposed in the expansion draft last summer – and his attitude was much better. But I think both sides were prepared to move on.

If Mrazek continues playing like he has for the Flyers (3-1, 1.97 goals-against average, .928 save percentage), they might qualify him at $4 million and look to move one of their other goalies, Brian Elliott or Michal Neuvirth. If Philly doesn't bring back Mrazek, he might have other options if he continues playing well.