Attempts by the Detroit Red Wings to improve via free agency took a hit a week before the market opens.
Forward Alex Tuch, a 30-goal scorer, was dealt by the Buffalo Sabres to the Washington Capitals on the evening of Wednesday, June 24, in a sign-and-trade that netted the 30-year-old an eight-year, $84 million deal that carries a cap hit of $10.5 million per year. The Sabres received David Kampf and a third-round pick in return.
It was a sensible move for the Sabres, who stood to lose Tuch as he was a pending unrestricted free agent. And a power move by the Capitals, who missed the 2026 playoffs by four points this spring.
It does also further harden how difficult it will be for the Wings and the rest of the NHL to improve via free agency. Tuch stood as the top prize this summer, and with him gone, the market is even thinner.
And the Wings are still dealing with figuring out what to do with captain Dylan Larkin, who has requested a trade to a contender, with his top destinations being the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights. Larkin, who turns 30 on July 30, has a no-trade clause, so he has a say in where he lands. But the Wings have power, too: General manager Steve Yzerman is not obligated to trade Larkin, a consistent 30-goal scorer under contract for five more seasons at a very reasonable $8.7 million salary cap hit. The Wings would, be it directly or via a multi-team trade, need to get someone just like Larkin in return: A forward who can center the top line and play both special teams.
The NHL draft is this weekend, and free agency begins July 1. The Wings do not have a first-round pick, having used that to acquire top-four defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline.
Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why Detroit Red Wings’ goal to improve in free agency just got harder
Reporting by Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
