The Detroit Red Wings will not re-sign Brad Richards or Kyle Quincey prior to the July 1 opening of free agency, reports Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
GM Ken Holland told St. James that he has informed “Brad Richards and Kyle Quincey that I definitely won’t sign them before July 1, if at all.”
It’s not a shocking situation. Richards was given a one-year contract last summer to help the team fix some of their scoring problems and bring some Stanley Cup experience. But Richards didn’t provide. He scored just 10 goals and 28 points in 68 games. That ranked eighth on the team.
His playoff experience didn’t aid the team much either, as he scored a single goal while the Tampa Bay Lightning handled the Red Wings in just five games.
For his part, Quincey was hampered by injuries, but his lack of a deal may be more about how the lineup shakes out. The team needs to spend some money on an upgrade. Nicholas Kronwall struggled and injuries helped cap his production.
In the prospect pool there are questions about who moves up with Alexei Marchenko and Xavier Ouellet looking ready for full-time duties. Additionally, prospects Ryan Sproul and Nick Jensen will begin to require waivers this season, forcing the team to make a decision on them early on. It makes for a situation where Quincey may just be a casualty of circumstances.
He should generate some interest as a veteran depth signing in free agency, which opens on July 1.
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