The Detroit Red Wings are heading into an interesting offseason, with several key decisions to be made regarding free agents, potential trades, and the team's goaltending situation. Here's a look at some of the latest news and rumors surrounding the team:

Noah Dobson Interest

According to Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Red Wings have expressed interest in acquiring New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson. While initial reports suggested that Detroit had offered J.T. Compher and Jonatan Berggren in exchange for Dobson, those reports are now believed to be inaccurate. Dobson, a 25-year-old restricted free agent, is rumored to be seeking a contract worth around $10 million annually. Given his potential offensive output, the Islanders may be able to secure stronger pieces or draft assets from other teams if they decide to trade him.

Goaltending Market and Plans

The Red Wings' goaltending situation remains a topic of discussion. With Petr Mrazek and Cam Talbot currently slated as the team's likely tandem, there's speculation about whether the Red Wings will explore upgrades in net. The unrestricted free agent market for goalies is considered thin, with Alex Lyon, a former Red Wing, being among the top available options. Other UFAs include New Jersey's Jake Allen and Calgary's Dan Vladar.

One potential scenario involves the Red Wings trading for Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson to create a tandem with Cam Talbot. In this scenario, Talbot and Gibson would share the net, with Gibson potentially taking on the 1A role. This move would also allow prospect Sebastian Cossa to continue his development in the AHL. To acquire Gibson, the Red Wings would likely need to trade Mrazek and other assets to the Ducks.

The Red Wings have also signed goaltender Michal Postava to a two-year, entry-level contract. The 23-year-old spent the 2024-25 season with HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga, where he posted a 23-18-0 record with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.

Several prospects are in the pipeline, including Sebastian Cossa, who continues to develop in the AHL. Trey Augustine has shown promise at Michigan State University. Rudy Guimond, currently committed to Yale, is another prospect.

Free Agency Focus

With free agency approaching, the Red Wings have several key unrestricted and restricted free agents to consider.

Key Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Patrick Kane: General Manager Steve Yzerman has expressed confidence in re-signing Kane, who produced 59 points in 72 games last season. His next contract could resemble his previous deal, with a base salary of $4 million and potential performance bonuses.
• Alex Lyon: Lyon had a solid season, posting a 14-9-1 record with a 2.81 goals-against average. His dependable performance could earn him a budget-friendly contract extension.

Key Restricted Free Agents:

• Jonatan Berggren: After spending time in the AHL, Berggren earned a full-time role with the Red Wings. While his scoring output was lower than in previous seasons, his defensive play improved. He is expected to receive a raise on his $825K salary.
• Elmer Söderblom: The 6'8" Swede provided a physical presence and defensive help. Detroit is likely to re-sign him to a one-year deal with a slight raise.

The Red Wings have approximately $21.337 million in cap space. After re-signing Kane, Berggren, and Söderblom, they would still have over $15 million to work with. This financial flexibility allows them to be aggressive in pursuing other free agents. Several potential targets could improve the team's scoring and defensive depth, including Mitch Marner, Aaron Ekblad, and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Other Rumors and Considerations

The Red Wings may consider buying out Justin Holl to create additional cap space. The team is also linked to Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague. With several players entering the final year of their contracts, including Vladimir Tarasenko and Simon Edvinsson, the Red Wings have important decisions to make about their long-term roster construction.