In 2017, I attempted to sketch out a three-part, 18-month plan detailing how I would rebuild the Red Wings, culminating in the Wings being players in the 2019 free agency market. Based on the roster moves I made, my belief was that the Wings would be poised to make a big splash in free agency to expedite the rebuild.
Looking back, my approach was far too hasty with respect to roster turnover. While the Wings were able to accomplish some of my action items, such as moving on from Riley Sheahan, the “old” guard of upcoming defensemen (Robbie Russo, Xavier Ouellet, Nick Jensen, and Ryan Sproul), and freeing up >$10 million in cap space, there is still a significant roster logjam.