Big free agent back with the Red Wings?

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William Austin
June 5, 2024 (5:53 PM)

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According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will have a busy week as the NHL league year changes over in less than a month.

Yzerman has some important meetings to start with Allan Walsh as one of them. He is the agent for veteran winger David Perron. Perron who has a two-year $9.5 million contract that is about to expire. Perron and the team are both interested in keeping him in Detroit. At his end-of-season press conference, Perron expressed his desire to stay by saying:

«There's no reason at this point to think about anywhere else or anything else. I hope it works out.»

Yzerman will also have a meeting with Pat Brisson, the agent for two other key free agents of the team - Patrick Kane and Lucas Raymond. Raymond, who is a RFA, is almost certain to stay with the Red Wings. The main question is the duration and the value of his next contract. After a breakout season where he scored 31 goals and added 41 assists for 72 points, Raymond will have a big raise next season. His new deal will be the most significant in terms of money and will be crucial for the team's success in the future.

Kane's future, however, is not confirmed with the Wings at all. Unlike Perron, Kane left the door open for a possible change in his end-of-season comments:

"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 lifetime."

Both players have valuable veteran presence for the team and for sure the Detroit Red Wings would like to bring them both back. Perron is known for his competitiveness while Kane for his incredible puck-handling skills and his strength to find his teammates in the offensive zone. Yzerman has important decisions to make regarding their contracts, which will both significantly impact the team's future look and leadership.

These next meeting will be critical in determining if Perron and Kane will continue with the Red Wings and how Raymond's contract will be structured. Yzerman's decisions on these players will shape the Red Wings future and play a big role in the team's success in the coming seasons.

Source: Report: Yzerman Set for Meetings with Agents of Three Red Wing Free Agents