NHL Rumors: Sam Bennett Being Eyed By Red Wings in Free Agency
The Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season and may be considering major roster changes to turn things around.
With over $21 million in cap space, the team is well-positioned to pursue high-impact players—not just to compete for a playoff spot next season but to make a deeper run.
According to NHL insider Max Bultman of The Athletic, the Red Wings could target Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, a gritty two-way player with scoring upside.
NEW: Who's the best possible fit for the Red Wings at top-line left wing? What do these playoffs say about the importance of stars?
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) May 13, 2025
Those answers, and more, in part 1 of this week's Red Wings mailbag https://t.co/BvNJCiu3rq
“On the free-agent market, I could see Sam Bennett being a meaner version of Kasper in that role, though Bennett is also a natural center,” Bultman wrote. “Do the Red Wings really want to potentially pay $7.5 million on a long-term deal for Bennett, who has a career high of 51 points? That’s a deal Detroit would have to be sure about.”
Bennett, in the final year of his four-year, $17.7 million contract, is due for a raise this summer. The 27-year-old can play center or left wing, adding both physicality and scoring—something Detroit needs. This season, he tallied 25 goals and 26 assists (51 points), just shy of his career-best 28-goal campaign.
Red Wings Need To Add Size & Scoring
Bultman believes Detroit’s biggest priority should be adding size and toughness to their forward group—a rare and valuable commodity in today’s NHL. Along with Bennett, he suggests the Red Wings could explore trades for Buffalo’s Alex Tuch or New York’s Will Cuylle, though acquiring such players won’t be easy.
"Those would be the slam-dunk stylistic fits, in my view. But again, most teams are looking for that type of player, not to trade them away," Bultman noted.
Yzerman Open to Big Moves
While the Red Wings are focused on developing young talent, GM Steve Yzerman hasn’t ruled out a major offseason acquisition.
"We’re going to look at any good player—any player that can help us in any role," Yzerman said at the team’s year-end press conference. "If there’s a player worthy of spending whatever amount on, that has an interest in playing in Detroit and fits a need for us, absolutely we would try to do that."
With ample cap space and a desire to take the next step, Detroit could be a team to watch in free agency and the trade market this summer.
Image - John E. Sokolowski-Imagn
