Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde recently hinted at a potential shift in the team's on-ice leadership.
Despite general manager Steve Yzerman's busy summer, key restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond remain unsigned as August progresses, causing some concern.
The Red Wings have approximately $17.6 million in cap space, but extending Seider and Raymond will consume most of it. Seider is expected to command between $8 and $10 million annually, while Raymond's deal could be around $7-8 million. This leaves little room for other moves, potentially prompting additional cap-clearing actions.
Derek Lalonde expressed confidence in reaching deals with Seider and Raymond and emphasized their importance to the team's future. He also hinted at possible changes in leadership roles, noting that Raymond and Seider could be included in the alternate captain rotation. Lalonde's comments suggest an evolving leadership structure as the Red Wings look to build on their recent progress.