Reported asking price for Detroit Red Wings to acquire top Avalanche star revealed
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While it would come at a considerable cost, would you like to see Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman pony up this kind of cash to sign this true difference maker?
One of the main points of concern for the Detroit Red Wings and their fans is that while they have several solid pieces on the roster, they still lack that true game-changing talent.
An elite, best-of-the-best player hasn't been found on the Red Wings since the days of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in their respective primes, along with perennial Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.
Could that change during the offseason, despite the fact that it would be extremely expensive?
Max Bultman of The Athletic fielded questions from fans, and gave his realistic outlook on the chances of the Red Wings signing a player of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner or Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen's caliber; both players are on expiring contracts and can become free agents in the summer.
It's usually safest to expect players of their caliber to re-sign with their current clubs. Even if negotiations get a little tense, teams know how hard it is to find players as good as those two, and usually do what it takes to keep them. Especially in their prime.
But if they do get to market, the prices would be massive. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun has said he thinks Rantanen believes he can get to a $14 million AAV on the open market. With a rising salary cap, I'd expect Mitch Marner to garner north of $12 million. That may simply be what it costs for an open-market star these days, though, and Rantanen in particular is the kind of player the Red Wings just don't have right now.
While it would be a hefty price tag to snag either one of Mitch Marner or Mikko Rantanen, the ultimate pay off could soon be worth it for the Red Wings and their fans, who have been dying to get back to the mountaintop.
With 47 points (18G, 29A) already this year, Rantanen is already well on pace to easily pass the 100-point plateau yet again in his career. Meanwhile, Marner is on track for a career-best in total assists.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 145 ANSWERS Reported asking price for Detroit Red Wings to acquire top Avalanche star revealed Which potential looming free agent forwards would you rather see Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman target? | ||
| Mitch Marner | 46 | 31.7 % |
| Mikko Rantanen | 99 | 68.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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