The Red Wings have many needs as the NHL offseason begins, and the majority of them are defense related. Brian Rafalski's decision to retire created a big hole in the Red Wings' defense, and with Nicklas Lidstrom potentially hanging up his skates as well, moves will have to be made to shore up the defense for next season.
A move will also have to be made to fill the hole at backup goaltender. Joey MacDonald performed well in the role for the Red Wings at the end of last season, but he is not going to return to the team. As reported by Ansar Khan, MacDonald wants to sign a one-way deal with an NHL team, and the Red Wings are apparently not interested in offering that to him.
MacDonald hopes to land a job with another NHL team when free agency begins on July 1. If he can't, MacDonald reportedly has the backup plan of a one-year, $1 million deal to play in Russia. Since he doesn't want to potentially be stuck in the AHL, MacDonald would rather move on to another NHL team or another league than take a two-way deal with the Red Wings.
What this means for the Red Wings is they will need to find somebody to back up Jimmy Howard next season. Chris Osgood wants the job, but it's not clear just yet if the Red Wings will bring him back. Chances are Detroit will evaluate all of its options at the start of free agency and go from there.