It’s nearly August, and the Detroit Red Wings still haven’t signed three restricted free agents: defenseman Moritz Seider or forwards Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren.
Don’t panic. There’s plenty of time before training camp to iron out contracts. But also, be wary. As these players continue to sit without new contracts, their bargaining power only increases as the season nears. Detroit is only going to have to pay them more as the season nears, and this could cause problems for a Red Wings team that’s going to be against the salary cap in all likelihood.
So when can fans expect Detroit to sign their three restricted free agents? Here’s a breakdown of the important dates and milestones.
Mid-September: Training Camp
In all likelihood, the Red Wings and their RFAs want to get negotiations done before training camp. This ensures a seamless transition into next season alongside new teammates, whereas a holdout can force a player to jump onto a moving train, so to speak.
Held in Traverse City, Detroit Red Wings training camp traditionally starts the Thursday after the conclusion of the annual NHL Prospects Tournament. As first reported by Sean Shapiro of Elite Prospects, that event is scheduled for Sept. 14 and 15. So, that would mean that training camp should start Sept. 19. That date hasn’t been officially announced, and it could be different this season given that this year’s prospects tournament only features the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings.
The Stars-Red Wings Traverse City prospect games will be Sept 14-15
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) July 23, 2024
As of publication, a Sept. 19 start date leaves 54 days for the Red Wings to sign their restricted free agents. Again, that’s a whole lot of time left to get a deal done, and general manager Steve Yzerman will probably use a lot of it given he isn’t someone who negotiates with unnecessary urgency.
December 1: RFA Signing Deadline
If the Red Wings can’t sign their RFAs before 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, then the unsigned players cannot play in the 2024-25 season. This is the absolute deadline for signing a free agent, and a lack of a contract for any of the three RFAs by this point would be disastrous for both parties.
Such a contract holdout is rare but not unheard of. The most prominent example is that of William Nylander, who took the Toronto Maple Leafs within 40 minutes of the signing deadline before signing a six-year, $45.09 million contract. Nylander got his bag, and he’s still a crucial member of the Maple Leafs’ core. Going to the Dec. 1 deadline isn’t a sign of ill will or a desire to play elsewhere. It’s just a reality of hard business negotiations.
There is no indication that any of Seider, Raymond or Berggren might take up until that deadline to sign.
In his exit interview April 18, Seider spoke of his excitement to get a new contract done, saying “It’s the first time we can actually do something like that. I mean, I get both sides. In the end, it’s a business and I think I’m confident to say I think I’ll be a Red Wing for next year, and that’s what matters the most.”
Later, Seider elaborated by saying that he wants to be in Detroit long term, even if it takes multiple contracts to make it make sense for all parties. “I think it’s not a big secret, I want to be a Red Wing. I think I’m also confident enough that I could be a good asset for this organization, and that really matters for me. And I think then you can talk as long as you want about numbers and lengths and how long the contract could be, but if those two first part fit well — and they do — then I’m pretty confident we’ve got something done.”
Raymond played his cards a little closer to the vest, but he echoed the same sentiment in his own exit interview. Of his contract negotiations, he said, “I think I’ll leave that to my agents and the people around me helping me. As far as when a deal will get done, I don’t know. What I do know is that I love this team, I love the city and I want to be here. But as far as the other things, it’s kind of out of my control at this point.”
A Note on Arbitration
Last week, the Red Wings avoided arbitration by signing Joe Veleno to a contract before going to a hearing. They could have done so with Berggren, too, but neither party filed for arbitration. Such a move wasn’t all that surprising.
If Berggren had opted for an arbitration hearing, he would have foregone his right to accept a qualifying offer from another team, a move that would limit his options in favor of a Red Wings future that’s anything but certain. If Detroit opted for a hearing, an arbiter might have settled on a number the club wouldn’t want to pay Berggren.
Most importantly, an arbitration deal only lasts for one or two seasons, depending on the preference of the side that didn’t elect for arbitration (in this case, Berggren’s decision). So, int he case of team-elected arbitration, Berggren could have opted for a one-year contract that puts both parties right back in this RFA mess next season. This might not be the biggest problem, but a one-year deal puts the Red Wings in a disadvantaged position to try and get the most production from Berggren for the cheapest cap hit. Detroit’s best value for Berggren would come on a two- or three-year deal that keeps his salary cap hit low while he proves his ability at the NHL level, instead of potentially giving him the bag after one good season.
Either way one looks at it, the lack of arbitration reflects a sort of limbo that both parties find themselves in. Berggren is a skilled player, but he might not fit into the Red Wings’ long-term future as shown in his usage this season.
Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Berggren’s situation is somewhat similar — though on a different timeline — to New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom. The Isles’ 11th overall pick in 2018 signed a one-year, $1 million contract two days ago after largely being out of the NHL lineup last season. It’s a deal that keeps him in the New York organization, but it isn’t a long-term vote of confidence in his ability to play with the club. Berggren will probably fall in similar territory, though his term could vary depending on how Detroit and Berggren want to approach the next few seasons. Wahlstrom has played 193 career games, while Berggren has played 79. Such inexperience might make a longer runway the best option.
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