Steve Dangle Slams Red Wings’ Direction Under Franchise Legend Steve Yzerman

“I don't understand it. What is going on? What the flying (expletive) are they doing?” Dangle said. “I don't get it. They have some really good pieces. They’re too good to be completely (expletive).”

Dangle speculated that Detroit could free nearly $12 million in cap space next summer just with expiring contracts, potentially setting up a major push in the 2026 free-agent class.

“Is this just a year of throwing (expletive) at the wall and seeing what sticks for Detroit, and then they completely blow the doors off next year? (They'll be) a huge player in free agency because they already have $12 million in cap space,” Dangle said. “I kind of wonder if Detroit is like, 'Give me one more year, give me one more freaking year, and we're going to blow the doors off by going and getting blank.'”

Dangle singled out Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel as a potential free-agent target for the Red Wings if he gets to market.

“Let's pretend it was July 1 right now,” Dangle said. “They could go out and make a decent run at Jack Eichel now, today, with what they have, and they’re going to get room to fix that D-core. They’re going to have to spend money to do it, and that’s terrifying. They're going to have $10 million of cap space, just freed up from losing three not-good players.”

Going against Detroit's chances of landing Eichel is the fact that the very own player has publicly signaled his intent to remain in Las Vegas.

Eichel, who is entering the final season of his eight-year, $80 million deal, told ESPN he “would like to stay,” emphasizing his love for the city, the organization, and the fans.

For now, Detroit will enter the seventh season with Yzerman at the helm as he continues to build the"Yzerplan" to bring the Red Wings back to contention.