To put it mildly, this year's NHL free agency class is sparse.
There are one - maybe two - legitimate needle movers available. One of them will command an extremely high salary, while the other might not be worth the risk. After these two candidates, the rest of the class is solid at best and uninspiring at worst.
Between solid and uninspiring lies Jaden Schwartz of the Seattle Kraken.
The defensively stout forward has managed six 20-goal seasons throughout his career, capping off the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a Cup and a team-leading 12 goals with the St. Louis Blues. Schwartz, 33, is long removed from his glory days with St. Louis, but is still a capable player in his own right.
He might just be the middle-six solution the Red Wings have been searching for.
What Jaden Schwartz can do for the Red Wings
Schwartz is what some may call a workhorse. Throughout all 15 seasons of his NHL career, he's played anywhere from 11-18 minutes a night, handling everything from top line duties to depth threats. That said, last season saw a decline in his production; Schwartz ended the season with just 11 goals and 15 asissts for 26 points in 50 games.
The Athletic ranks Schwartz as the ninth-highest winger on their board. "A defensively responsible two-way forward with a high compete level, Schwartz saw a sharp decline in his production with the Kraken last season," the piece reads. "However, he’s only two years removed from a 26-goal season and has cracked the 20-goal plateau on six occasions during his career. He also carries a little extra shine thanks to his Stanley Cup bona fides, earned during the St. Louis Blues' 2019 run."
Adding a player like Schwartz gives the Red Wings the exact kind of depth they're looking to obtain. The team is currently shallow beyond their top-six and could certainly use an upgrade on their third line. Signing Schwartz fulfills two purposes: first, it gives the Red Wings a little offensive depth. Secondly, it gives players like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard a veteran to learn the ropes from. If he can replicate the production of someone like Schwartz in his prime, the Red Wings have a fantastic offensive weapon on their hands.
The cost of signing Schwartz
Schwartz won't command the same five-year, $5.5M/year salary he did with his last contract. AFP Analytics projects his next deal at two years with an average annual value of $4.75M per season. Given the fact that the Red Wings signed Mason Appleton to a two-year deal close to the same value, this would be a clear, considerable upgrade. It's even better when Schwartz's defensive acumen is taken into account.
While some fans may be sick of the Red Wings signing aging veterans, Schwartz isn't like a Travis Hamonic or Jeff Petry. He's an immediately impactful player who will make a difference throughout the season.
