Detroit Red Wings Roster Report 7-5-11
KEY DRAFT ADDITIONS
--RW Tomas Jurco (second round, No. 35) was projected by many to go in the first round, but the Wings traded down and were thrilled he was still available. Assistant GM Jim Nill said Jurco was as skilled as any player in the draft. He's a terrific stick-handler with a good shot.
--D Xavier Ouellet (second round, No. 48) is described as the "Wings' type of player," a good puck-mover who skates well and defends well.
--D Ryan Sproul (second round, No. 55) is a late developer with good size and a great shot. He scored 10 of his 14 goals after Jan. 1 last season.
FREE AGENT FOCUS
The Wings made a pitch for Jaromir Jagr, offering a one-year deal for slightly more than $2 million. The former NHL scoring champ wanted more money, but the Wings wouldn't budge from their offer and pulled it from the table on July 1 after Jagr was taking too long to act. He signed a one-year deal for $3.3 million with the Flyers.
The Wings are in the market for a back-up goaltender after telling veteran Chris Osgood he won't be offered a contract. General manager Ken Holland didn't rule out of the possibility of re-signing Osgood if they don't find a viable alternative through free agency.
PLAYER NOTES
--RW Kris Draper might be facing retirement after the team told him it would not offer him a contract prior to the start of free agency on July 1. The club did not rule out the possibility of re-signing Draper later in the summer if it still has a roster spot. Draper, 40, has been a valuable role player and leader on the team since 1993-94.
--C Pavel Datsyuk finished second behind Vancouver's Ryan Kesler in voting for the Selke Trophy, snapping his three-year streak of winning the award given to the league's top defensive forward. Datsyuk missed 26 games with injuries, hurting his chances.
--G Joey MacDonald wasn't offered a contract. He is not interested in signing a two-way deal with any NHL club because he doesn't want to risk spending another season in the AHL. If MacDonald, 31, doesn't receive a one-way contract with an NHL club he'll likely sign a one-year deal for $1 million with a Russian team. MacDonald went 5-5-3, with a 2.58 goals-against average, after being recalled from Grand Rapids to sub for the injured Osgood.
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