Per a report out of The Athletic, Detroit's GM is set for important meetings with the agents of three pending Red Wing free agents
According to a report from Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is in for a busy week as we inch toward the changing of the NHL's league year.
Specifically, per LeBrun, Yzerman will meet this week with Allan Walsh, the outspoken agent of veteran winger David Perron. The two-year, $9.5 million deal Perron signed with Detroit in July 2022 (the first contract Perron signed with any club other than the St. Louis Blues) is set to expire, and both parties have expressed interest in keeping the partnership going. “There’s no reason at this point to think about anywhere else or anything else,” Perron said of the Red Wings at his end-of-season press availability. “I hope it works out.”
Meanwhile, LeBrun also noted Yzerman is set for a meeting with Pat Brisson, who represents two crucial Detroit free agents in Patrick Kane and Lucas Raymond. As a restricted free agent, the latter is all but assured of remaining a Red Wing; the question is how long an extension he signs and at what price. Meanwhile, unlike Perron, the former's end-of-season presser left open the possibility of a departure.
"It was a great year," said Kane. "I have nothing but positive things to say about the organization. Obviously the opportunity from Steve [Yzerman] and [Derek] 'Newsy' [Lalonde] to give me the chance to come and play, and the situations I was put in, I feel like I got a lot of opportunity to play in the top six, power play, play with some great players. It was fun to be around the group. It was fun to be a Wing and in this organization. I'll definitely have some memories to last me a life time." His use of the past tense led to some speculation that Kane already has a foot out the door at Little Caesars Arena.
All three free agents represent significant decisions for Yzerman, though none more so than Raymond. After a career year (31 goals, 41 assists, 72 points) in the final season of his entry-level contract, he is due for a serious raise. His deal will be the biggest of these three in terms of dollars, and his performance on that contract will be most important to Detroit's success.
At the same time, Perron and Kane's contracts represent different important questions for Yzerman to answer. Each player has provided a valuable veteran presence in his own way, while Perron brings a relentless competitive streak and Kane a near unparalleled aura as a puckhandler. Perhaps this week will go a long way in determining whether either or both will remain in Detroit any longer.
