Yzerman's Offseason Priorities: What's on the Checklist?

This past season, Lucas Raymond emerged as a standout winger and Moritz Seider proved himself as a cornerstone on defense for the Red Wings. Both players are key parts of the team's future, with contracts up for renewal. Raymond led the team's scoring with impressive stats, while Seider has been a rock on defense, playing every game and logging heavy minutes. As contract talks approach, Seider might lock in a long-term deal due to his value as a right-handed defenseman, whereas Raymond could get a shorter bridge deal, potentially setting him up for a bigger future contract.

The Red Wings faced a critical "what if" this season, especially regarding Dylan Larkin's impact. With Larkin, Detroit posted a solid record and stats, but without him, their performance dropped sharply. This highlights the need for someone who can lead when Larkin is out. Steven Stamkos, a seasoned leader and scorer, could be the perfect fit. Given Yzerman's history with Stamkos during his time managing the Tampa Bay Lightning, he might eye a reunion to boost Detroit's lineup, either through free agency or a trade, leveraging Detroit's pool of young talent.

At just 23, Moritz Seider is already the most seasoned member of the Red Wings' defense. The team has added several new faces over the past two years, but with rising stars like Simon Edvinsson and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Detroit might streamline its defensive lineup and aim to acquire a solid top-four defenseman to ease Seider's load. This restructuring could involve letting Shayne Gostisbehere go, trading Justin Holl and Jeff Petry, and seeking a top-four right-handed defenseman to pair with Edvinsson, enhancing the team's defensive effectiveness.

Detroit is strategizing its goaltending setup as the Red Wings anticipate the NHL debut of top prospect Sebastian Cossa, with Trey Augustine also emerging as a promising goalie. Recent seasons saw mixed results from goalies like Alex Nedeljkovic and Ville Husso, but Alex Lyon's solid performance has offered hope. With these promising prospects, Detroit might avoid big-name goalie acquisitions, instead considering roles for free agents like Laurent Brossoit or betting on a comeback from Ilya Samsonov.

Source Prohockeyrumors: Offseason Checklist: Detroit Red Wings