The Detroit Red Wings could address their scoring needs by pursuing free-agent-to-be Kyle Connor, NHL insider Frank Seravalli argues.
Seravalli made his case in an August 12 X post by B/R Open Ice. In the piece, he discussed how the Detroit Red Wings “make sense” for the 29-year-old.
Seravalli pondered:
“If Kyle Connor does decide to go to market next summer, would the Detroit Red Wings be a fit for Kyle Connor? You could see the Michigan product going back.”
The thought underscores two things. Firstly, the Red Wings need a high-end scorer like Connor. Beyond a solid top line, Detroit doesn’t have a second line that could pick up the slack. So, Connor fits the role the club needs filled.
Second, Connor is a Michigan native. As such, bringing him onto the team would be like a type of homecoming. That situation allows the Red Wings to spin his signing into something fans can look forward to.
Seravalli added:
“I could certainly see that, and he would seem to make a ton of sense for a Detroit Red Wings team that could use additional scoring punch.”
Connor is coming off a remarkable season in which he scored 41 goals and 97 points in all 82 games. Another similar season would skyrocket his value. Thus, the Red Wings may have to pay up to lure Connor into Motown. He’s entering the final season of a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. That means the price tag could be high.
But as Seravalli noted, the Red Wings are a team that makes sense. That’s why fans should keep an eye out for this move.
Red Wings Need to Lure Connor Away from Winnipeg
The Red Wings could have a hard time luring Kyle Connor away from the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets, according to Seravalli, look like the frontrunners to ink Connor to his next NHL contract.
Unlike Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets have a real shot at keeping Connor. That situation could mean a tough road ahead for the Red Wings in bringing Connor to Detroit. But the task is not impossible. The Wings have a solid young core that’s looking to bust out.
So, if the Red Wings have a strong season in 2025-26, the team could build a compelling argument to bring Connor into the fold. If that’s the case, Detroit could appeal to Connor as a place to call home more than Winnipeg.
But then again, if the Jets continue to dominate, it may be hard for Connor to leave Winnipeg. That task may get even tougher if the Red Wings miss the playoffs yet again.
Detroit Needs Another Top-Six Winger to Truly Compete
Adding Kyle Connor is more of a necessity for the Red Wings, given how stacked the Atlantic Division is. The Atlantic currently boasts three powerhouse teams in the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. All three clubs are virtual locks to make the playoffs. The Panthers, meanwhile, are the odds-on favorites for the Stanley Cup. That reality makes the division even tougher at the top.
Then, there are up-and-coming squads like the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. Both made the playoffs last season and look to continue building success. While they’re not locks to make it back to the postseason, they should be in the mix.
That leaves just the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins as teams the Red Wings could overcome. So, the reality of a stacked Atlantic Division means the Wings will need more high-end scoring to truly compete.
Adding Kyle Connor will go a long way towards achieving that aim. But it ultimately depends on the team’s ability to present a compelling case that they are ready to take the next step.
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