Detroit

I think Stevie is looking at lesser term on Mantha (3 years) and the benefit to him is he becomes an UFA around his 29th birthday (he still could be 28 depending on season ending date) with flat caps era in the past (hopefully). The benefit to the Wings on a shorter deals is continued injuries derailing career and not buying UFA years in a flat cap world. So I expect 2-3 year deal for him. Read something on the Athletic about this today.

As far as depth chart: I think they are going to try Fabbri at that 2nd line center (Yzerman presser said so--but that was before adding Namestnikov). I expect Namestnikov on the 3rd line LW. Filppula will be that 3rd C (Namestnikov & Fabbri FO% lags Filppula's by my memory). Gagner's going to be on that 3rd line too. Svechnikov seems like a 4th liner (or traded if he was going to get waived).

You're missing Timashov (he was also qualified--he might be the LW on the 4th line instead of Svech): I think Nielsen might be buried in the AHL because of these options.

All those guys overseas (that are eligible to return) will depend on the AHL playing a season or not. If not, I think they stay overseas too.

This is what drives me nuts with teams sending bottom six players to Detroit. I completely forgot Timashov and we don’t really have space given all I signed was Mo and Bert. I’d also like to see Smith on the fourth line. I think Filppula, Fabbri, and Namestsnikov are pretty interchangeable so where they settle will determine our bottom nine.

With Bert’s contract I was lazy and just did Toffoli’s and for Mo I heard rumors he wants a short term which is fine. Hopefully it motivates him and if we aren’t turning it around quick enough then we could always trade him.

I’m assuming your lineup would be something like
B - L - M
Zadina - Fabbri - Ryan
Names - Flip - Gagner
Svech/Timashov - Glendening - Helm