Who should stay and who should go?

The biggest deal Yzerman handled in-season was inking captain Dylan Larkin to an eight-year, $69.6 million extension, the richest contract Yzerman has authored since being named Wings GM in April 2019. The paperwork was sealed when Yzerman went to Larkin’s home on March. 1.

Tyler Bertuzzi, another player on an expiring contract, was moved at the trade deadline after no common ground emerged on extension talks.

Bertuzzi is jamming away in the playoffs (six points in four games) with the Boston Bruins; Yzerman and his staff are planning how to use the 2024 first-round (top 10 protected) pick and the 2025 fourth-round pick they got in return.

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That left 10 players who finished the season with the Wings on expiring contracts. Here is a look at each one, and whether it makes sense for them to stay or to go:

The 32-year-old signed a pro-rated contract for $750,000 on the afternoon of the trade deadline, the week the Wings lost three forwards to trades and one to injury. Chiasson was a boon on the power play, where he notched five of his six goals and seven of his nine points. Another short-term deal on keeping worth.

He’s coming off a two-year, $4.2 million contract. Had eight goals this season, six the first year. He was placed on waivers in February, and recalled after the deadline when the Wings needed bodies. Best to part ways with him and see if 6-foot-6 prospect Elmer Söderblom can take that spot.

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D Robert Hägg

He was signed to a one-year, $800,000 deal after Mark Pysyk incurred an Achilles injury shortly after he was signed for depth. (Pysyk skated a couple of times, but setbacks prevented him from ever suiting up.) Hägg, 28, had two goals and five assists in 38 games, and played with some bite. Could end up being another one-year depth signing.

Hellberg is 32, has started 16 and appeared in 23 career NHL games, with a 7-8-1 record. He lets in too many soft goals to chance another season as a backup.

D Gustav Lindström

The 24-year-old was signed to a two-year, $1.7 million contract in 2021. He keeps his game pretty simple, but the lack of physical assertiveness is a key drawback. Easy enough to qualify the pending restricted free agent based on his $850,000 cap hit and, if he doesn’t earn a spot at next year’s camp, put him on waivers.

He’s eligible for restricted free agency. He’s a minor-leaguer who appeared in 19 games, and worth keeping in the organization. He’s a good fit for the Grand Rapids Griffins, where his role could include being a good mentor for young prospects, and be available to the Wings when low on regulars.

G Alex Nedeljkovic

He’s a pending UFA coming off a two-year, $6 million deal. He struggled in his second season (5-7-2, 3.53 goals-against average, .895 save percentage), forcing the Wings to give Hellberg a try. Nedeljkovic, 27, did show better late in the season, so maybe if he is willing to take a significantly lower salary for one year, there’s a path where he could get a chance to earn the backup role and, if that doesn’t work , he would be OK with playing in Grand Rapids.

He’s a pending UFA coming off a two-year, $2.7 million contract. Appeared in 52 games. Not much physicality to his game, so for a third-pairing guy, Wings should be able to find an upgrade.

He was brought in on a two-year, $6 million contract with a mindset towards centering the second line and helping stoke offense. Suter scored 15 goals his first season, 14 this past season. He’s not a second-line center but he is a solid third- or fourth-line pivot, who can fill in on the wing in the top six if needed. Suter’s strength is his defensive play — he keeps it simple and smart, and he’s a good skater with a knack for breaking away with the puck especially on penalty kills. He turns 27 in May, so age-wise he fits right in with the “older” rebuilding group. If Suter can be had for less money, he’d be worth bringing back on a short-term deal.

F Joe Veleno

The no. 30 pick from 2018 is a pending restricted free agent. Veleno, 23, hasn’t brought much offense (nine goals this season, eight last year) but he’s a good skater who is still figuring out his game. Makes sense to keep him in the fold and give him more time to develop.