RED WINGS ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO MATHEW BARZAL - ktd1976's Dynasty

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RED WINGS ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO MATHEW BARZAL

Posted on October 25, 2020 at 01:11 AM.

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RED WINGS ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO RFA MATHEW BARZAL

With the Detroit Red Wings off to a surprising 9-0-0 start, GM Steve Yzerman hinted that the rebuild process could be accelerated. It didn't take him long to make good on that statement.

On Monday night, just prior to his team's game against the Winnipeg Jets, it was announced that the Red Wings had acquired the rights to restricted free agent center Mathew Barzal from the New York Islanders. This is a bit of a risky move for the Red Wings, as Barzal is currently unsigned. But, the Wings have the cap space to get a deal done. The Islanders did not.

Detroit will send the Islanders their 2022 1st round draft pick. The teams also swapped 3rd round picks in the 2021 draft. This was simply a case where the Islanders weren't going to be able to clear up the cap room to get Barzal under contract, even for a bridge deal. Barzal had also stated he did not want to remain in New York.

Detroit will likely sign Barzal to a one year "bridge" deal, which will also allow them to retain his rights next season. If he signs, Barzal will give the Red Wings a scoring center to play on the second line. Barzal was currently playing overseas, in Europe, and all indications are he is in game shape, and wouldn't need any conditioning in Grand Rapids before joining the Red Wings.