Welcome to a new summer series on Last Word On Hockey. In preparation for the NHL Expansion Draft on June 21st, LWOH’s Detroit Red Wings Department will be going in depth on every Wing that is eligible to be picked by the newest NHL squad, the Vegas Golden Knights, who will begin play in the fall. The team will likely follow the seven-forward, three-defensemen, and one goalie format of protecting players, and this series will follow suit with that. For a brush-up on the expansion draft rules, click this link. Without further adieu, we will continue this series with defenseman Mike Green.
Mike Green
Defenseman, Shoots Right
6’1″, 207 lbs
Age: 32 (On October 12)
Cap hit: $6 million, one year remaining
Reasons for Protection
Mike Green more often than not has done his job ever since signing with Detroit in the 2015 offseason. In two seasons (146 games), he’s scored 21 goals and 71 points. While everyone would want him to produce that in one season, compared to the rest of the blueline he’s Erik Karlsson, as he’s accounted for 39% of blueline scoring, including exactly 50% of goal scoring. He’s the only viable seasoned offensive threat with the decline of Niklas Kronwall and the utter disappointment of Danny Dekeyser. The team will likely be below-average next season, and Green is the perfect example of a rental player that a contender would love to add, especially to their power play, where he stole the show. He scored eight goals and 30 points on the man advantage over the past two years. The rest of Detroit’s defense combined? Three goals, 27 points, with 20 of those points coming from Kronwall.
Reasons for Exposing
If Detroit totally wants to part with Green’s cap hit right now without having to give up an asset in return, they would expose Green for the opportunity to shed $6 million to chase Kevin Shattenkirk as a long-term puck-moving option to build around. However, this would make little sense. The opportunity to trade him for assets come next season’s trade deadline should outright outweigh leaving him exposed, as Detroit will need all the help they can get defensively through the draft and the trade route. An opportunity to pick up a young blueline prospect could arise.
Verdict
Protection.
Green is the only veteran option Detroit has on their blueline that can play the power play and create offensively. Keeping him for one more season with a year left on his current deal will encourage him to have a big summer and get in shape come training camp to boost his stock for free agency and the trade deadline. His price could soar if he comes out gangbusters next season and contenders would be lining up to claim his services in late February/early March, leaving Detroit with leverage to obtain some prospects or draft picks for 2018 and beyond. If he has a subpar season or gets injured, he’ll be gone next summer with no long-term strain. Leaving him unprotected would clear some cap, but already financially tied, the team has to get something for him.
Check back tomorrow as Justin Abdelkader and his mammoth contract come into play.
Updated Protection List:
Henrik Zetterberg (May 25)
Mike Green
Main Photo:
