Red Wings free-agent target tiers: Needs, likelihood and best fits

New York Times

2 days ago

With just one day left before unrestricted free agency opens in the NHL on Tuesday, all eyes in Detroit are on what the Red Wings can do next to follow up on their trade for goaltender John Gibson over the weekend.
In Gibson, Detroit added some upside to its goalie room in a proven starter who had a bounce-back year in 2024-25. And improving in net would certainly be a big boost. But for a Red Wings team looking to snap a nine-year playoff drought, general manager Steve Yzerman will probably need more than Gibson to position his team to do so.
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Yzerman acknowledged over the weekend he'll be looking for a defenseman and expects to monitor the winger market, as well. That certainly tracks, for a team that realistically needs at least one top-four defenseman, a top-line left wing and probably some depth scoring, too, as well as a general need to get harder to play against.
It's not the deepest free-agent class in recent memory, mind you. But there are nonetheless players who fit those needs available.
So, on the eve of chaos breaking loose, here's our updated free agent targets list, tiered by how impactful — and how realistic — they could be, plus a handful of top potential trade targets if the free agent market dries up quickly.
Aaron Ekblad, RHD, Florida Panthers
When you factor both Detroit's needs and the potential to land one of the players in this top group, Ekblad comes out on top. He's a clear top-four defenseman coming off a strong playoff run for the Stanley Cup champion Panthers, and happens to be from just across the river in Windsor, Ontario. There are fair questions on how he will age on the back half of a long-term deal, as a big body who has logged a ton of minutes and plays with an edge. But he remains highly effective, can make an impact at both ends of the ice and would immediately elevate the blue line. That's a lot to like.
Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Ehlers doesn't have Brad Marchand's hard edge, but he brings a ton of speed and offense to a top six. Crucially, he can produce at five-on-five, which matters for a team that can be pretty power-play dependent for its offense. He'd be another small winger without much edge, which could be an issue for a Red Wings team that wants to be harder to play against, and perhaps makes him less likely. But there's no doubting his talent.
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Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Boeser is a proven goal scorer with some size, which is immediately interesting. His 40-goal season in 2023-24 is more of an outlier, with 23-29 goals more like his baseline, but his career per-game numbers would translate to 30 goals over a full season, which qualifies as needle-moving. He also has Midwest roots, though it's worth noting his hometown Minnesota Wild also has cap space to work with.
Vladislav Gavrikov, LHD, Los Angeles Kings
By pure fit, Gavrikov's defensive prowess, left-hand shot and familiarity with head coach Todd McLellan make him an obvious potential target. But I haven't gotten the sense that Detroit will be a serious contender for him. That said, watch Gavrikov on Tuesday anyway — if he were to land with, say, the Rangers, could that give New York a nudge to trade another potential fit in 25-year-old lefty K'Andre Miller?
Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Marner's the top player on the market and accordingly would be the single-biggest difference maker for Detroit as a 100-point winger with Selke-level defensive play. So we have to include his name somewhere here. But he feels like a pipe dream more likely to land on a team closer to contention.
Brad Marchand, LW, Florida Panthers
Marchand likewise feels unlikely to land in Detroit, and may not even make it to July 1 if he decides to stay with the defending Stanley Cup champions. But if he makes it to market, he checks a ton of boxes as a hard-edged left wing who could play on a top line, bring veteran leadership and sign more of a medium-term deal because of his age. Still, the better bet is that he either sticks with the Panthers or goes to a true contender.
Mikael Granlund, RW, Dallas Stars
Granlund, like Ehlers, would be another smaller forward, and he's had a bit of an up-and-down career. But lately it's been on an up, with back-to-back 60-point seasons and 22 goals this past season. He wouldn't have the same splash factor, but he might deliver nearly as much production at a lower price.
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Brandon Tanev, LW, Winnipeg Jets
While Ehlers, Boeser and Granlund are more top-six fits, it's at least just as likely Detroit's winger addition comes more in a down-lineup, identity role. And Tanev would typify that as a physical winger who puts his body on the line and can chip in offense as well, with four seasons of double-digit goals in his career.
Joel Armia, RW, Montreal Canadiens
Like Tanev, Armia would be an identity add with some offense. He'd also be a nice addition to the penalty kill on the league's worst short-handed team.
Brian Dumoulin, LHD, New Jersey Devils
Dumoulin is on the older side, as he will turn 34 in September, but on a short-term deal, he's an interesting option who has still turned in respectable defensive metrics over the last few seasons. Playing him in legitimate top-four minutes might be a slight stretch at this stage, though.
Connor Brown, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Brown isn't necessarily physical, but he brings offense as a third-line scorer who can produce in the harder areas of the ice. His experience in the playoffs the last two years certainly has some appeal, too.
Andrew Mangiapane, LW, Washington Capitals
Mangiapane profiles as a true middle-six scorer on the wing, good for a respectable 15 goals or so, and had three straight seasons of 40-plus points before a down year in 2024-25. He's not someone to overpay, but on the right deal, he'd make Detroit deeper up front.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW, Washington Capitals
Beauvillier has bounced around over the past couple of seasons, but he had 15 goals last season between the Penguins and Capitals, and before that, he was a consistent third-line scorer for the Islanders, where he was also a playoff performer. He might be my top pick as a third-line bet, with the idea being a similar impact as Mangiapane at a lower price.
Ryan Lindgren, LHD, Colorado Avalanche
This one comes down to the term and cost. Lindgren saw a pronounced dip in his last two seasons in New York, though he did rebound a bit after a midseason trade to Colorado. In theory, he would fit a need as a gritty left-shot 'D' who can play on the second pair. In a thin defense market, that at least makes him a candidate. But if Detroit has to overextend to sign him, the Red Wings may be better off staying away.
One of the most revealing things from Yzerman's post-draft press conference was how he discussed a potential trade market following the July 1 frenzy. He was asked specifically about the defense market via trade, but it felt like it could certainly apply more broadly.
'I think now everybody's going to focus on free agency for a few days, and then I think kind of see where it shakes out,' Yzerman said. 'Who's been able to address some of their needs through free agency, and who have missed, or teams that have been able to accomplish what they need to (and) now need to move out bodies.'
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That could apply to moves taking a player off Detroit's roster, too, in theory, but since we're focused on adding in this article, here are the four (practical) names that would make the most sense for Detroit to pursue in a trade.
K'Andre Miller, LHD, New York Rangers
Miller is a defenseman out of Red Wings central casting: big and mobile with some offense, and able to use his size to clear the net. At 25, he's also young enough to grow with Detroit's core. The Rangers could have trouble keeping both Miller and fellow RFA Will Cuylle (who frankly would be a great target too), especially if they make a free agent splash. If that's the case, Detroit should make a push.
Bryan Rust, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
At 33, Rust is older than the other players in this tier, but he's also a gritty scorer coming off a career-high 31 goals last season. He's not going to be growing with any cores, but he does come with three years of term at a manageable $5.125 million cap hit. He'd be excellent as a puck retriever and finisher next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on Detroit's top line. If he were a free agent, he'd be right there with Ekblad as a top fit, especially as a local product from Pontiac.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Frankly, I still would be a little surprised if the Stars move Robertson, absent an unexpected free-agent splash that forces them to shed significant money. But if they do, the offense he brings is worth seriously pursuing, even at the cost of valuable picks or prospects.
Rasmus Andersson, RHD, Calgary Flames
Andersson is a little older than Miller, but he's a proven top-four defenseman who produces offense and could benefit from playing behind Moritz Seider. He's a year from unrestricted free agency, though, so Detroit would have to feel very confident it can sign him to make the trade.
(Top photo of Aaron Ekblad: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)