The Detroit Red Wings, under the management of Steve Yzerman, have navigated a busy off-season marked by notable departures and key acquisitions. Yet the unresolved contract statuses of vital restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond linger as pressing concerns.

Detroit has seen significant roster changes, including shedding salary cap through trades. Defenseman Jake Walman was traded to the San Jose Sharks, and forward Robby Fabbri was moved to Anaheim in a deal.

On the free agency front, veterans like David Perron, who signed with Ottawa, and Shayne Gostisbehere, who joined Carolina, were allowed to walk. Detroit filled these gaps by signing seasoned players such as forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and swapping goalie James Reimer for Cam Talbot.

Amidst these adjustments, a highlight move was the re-signing of star forward Patrick Kane to a deal packed with performance incentives.

Despite these maneuvers leaving the team with approximately $17.6 million in cap space, agreements with Seider and Raymond have not been achieved. With Seider expected to command $8-10 million yearly and Raymond around $7-8 million, this leaves little flexibility, potentially necessitating further cap adjustments.

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde remains optimistic. Discussing Seider and Raymond, Lalonde emphasized their developmental strides and minimal involvement in contract negotiations, focusing instead on their roles in the team’s progress and leadership.

Specifically, Lalonde envisions enhanced roles for both in the coming season and potentially greater leadership responsibilities, particularly with an opening in the alternate captaincy following Perron’s departure. Raymond’s leadership was also notable in his recent stint as Team Sweden’s alternate captain at the World Championships.

The organization appears steadfast in its commitment to these young talents, signaling potential deals that could secure their place in Detroit’s evolving core for seasons to come.