from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
There are still teams looking to add and improve — and more than a few unrestricted free agents looking for jobs in this economically challenged time in the NHL.
But there are plenty of conclusions to be drawn already from this wild offseason.
Winners
Detroit Red Wings: Look, the Red Wings aren’t going to make the playoffs, win the Stanley Cup, but they will be more competitive. After last season’s debacle, that’ll be a step forward. In trading for defenseman Marc Staal, and signing goalie Thomas Greiss, forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov, and defensemen Troy Stecher and Jon Merrill (Grand Blanc/Michigan), GM Steve Yzerman made no long-term, big-money commitments but added leadership and improved the roster.