While many teams' executives have begun to pack for summer break, Detroit Red
Wings general manager Ken Holland still has quite a bit on his plate. Dylan
Larkin's next contract is the main priority. Getting his roster cap-compliant
is a close second.

Latest for @TheAthleticDET: Dylan Larkin optimistic contract talks won't drag
out, which gives us an excuse to project out a Red Wings lineup in 2021-22.
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- Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) July 20, 2018

Unless Larkin takes the greatest hometown discount in NHL history, Detroit's
payroll will exceed the salary cap upper limit. And depending on his new
contract's average annual value (AAV), Holland's job to cut salary could become
 a lot more difficult.

Make no mistake, this messy cap situation was inevitable - I dove into the
approaching trouble back in November.

Now that it's here, let's walk through how the Red Wings can escape from salary
 cap hell relatively unscathed. Sit back, crack open a Vernors, and prepare
yourself for some cap chaos.Related - The Grind Line: Red Wings'; Additions,
Cuts & LarkinRed Wings Salary Cap Snapshot

As of now, the Red Wings have $76,672,044 committed to 21 players (including
Johan Franzen), two buyouts, and carryover bonus overages for the 2018-19
season. When you add in Filip Hronek, Michael Rasmussen, and Filip Zadina, that
 number jumps to $79,205,376, just $294,624 below the $79.5-million cap.Michael
 Rasmussen';s entry-level deal won';t cost much against Detroit';s payroll.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

These cap figures do not include Dylan Larkin's new contract, which could
potentially surpass $6 million per year. They do factor in Henrik Zetterberg's
cap hit - until the captain says otherwise, the Red Wings have to assume he's
playing next season.

Surely, the signings of Thomas Vanek and Mike Green seem frustrating at this
point. However, Holland has the capability to move players around to make these
 numbers work.Larkin's New Cap Hit Breakdown

Depending on the contract that Larkin signs, simply placing Johan Franzen on
long-term injured reserve (LTIR) may not do the trick to bring the Red Wings
into compliance with the salary cap upper limit. Here's what can be done to fix
 that:Scenario 1: Larkin's AAV Γëñ $5,299,169

Apart from placing Franzen on LTIR and cutting a player to reach 23, nothing
needs to be done to be in compliance with the cap. One of Martin Frk
($1,050,000 AAV), Luke Witkowski ($750,000), Filip Zadina ($925,000), or
Michael Rasmussen ($894,166) will need to be sent down to the AHL (or juniors,
in Rasmussen's case) before Franzen goes on LTIR to come in under the salary
cap upper limit. These aren't the four worst players, just the four who could
be sent down without much issue.Dylan Larkin is quickly becoming Detroit';s top
 player. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Depending on Larkin's final cap hit, the list of available players to move out
dwindles as the AAV increases. It essentially boils down to:Larkin's AAV Γëñ
$294,624 cap space + Franzen's $3,954,545 AAV + assigned player's AAV

If Larkin's new deal exceeds an annual cap hit of $5,299,169, then the Red
Wings will need to do more than waive Frk's contract-since he has the highest
AAV of the players noted above-and shelf Franzen.Scenario 2: $5,299,170 Γëñ
Larkin's AAV Γëñ $6,224,169

It's entirely possible that the Red Wings may need to assign two "bubble"
players to make ends meet. Depending on the final AAV, sending down two of
Witkowski, Rasmussen, Zadina, and Frk, plus putting Franzen on LTIR, will be
the only way to be in compliance with the salary cap without trading anyone.
Removing two players from the roster is the limit, as anything more would
significantly handicap the Red Wings.Are Martin Frk';s days in Detroit
numbered? (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

As the AAV approaches the upper end of the range above, only demoting Frk and
Zadina will do, considering the fact that the two have the highest salaries of
the bunch. Surely, the Red Wings would like to control who plays in Detroit
versus Grand Rapids, so this is not an ideal situation to be in.

That brings us to the final option to create cap space - one that would solve
the payroll issue regardless of the contract to which Larkin lends his John
Hancock.Scenario 3: Larkin's AAV > $6,224,169

In the event that Detroit's young center's new contract exceeds $6,224,169 in
annual earnings, the Red Wings will need to make a trade to open up cap space.
With the ability to put Franzen on LTIR, trading just about any contract with a
 $3-million-plus cap hit for picks or prospects would bring Detroit into
compliance.

Of the Red Wings who meet that criteria, there are three who stand out as
potential trade bait: Andreas Athanasiou, Darren Helm, and Gustav Nyquist. For
the trio, here is the potential salary cap space opened up if each was traded
and Franzen was subsequently shelved:

Athanasiou - Up to $7,249,169Helm - Up to $8,099,169Nyquist Trade - Up to
$8,999,169

Regardless of the contract Larkin signs, trading one of these players would
create the necessary space to be compliant with the cap';s upper limit.

Of course, there are alternatives using a combination of methods listed above.
Detroit could trade Luke Glendening, Frk, and place Franzen on LTIR to create a
 fair amount of cap space. Creativity will be key for Holland.Related: Red
Wings Prospects Ready to Take Veterans'; Jobs?Final Roster Finessing Needed

After Detroit';s next captain is signed, the goal would be to then bring the
organization's combined cap hits as close to $83,454,545 among as many players
as possible before placing Franzen on LTIR to maximize its cap savings. From
there, Detroit could cut the roster down to create cap space that would then
accrue throughout the season.We';re all wishing for a bright future for Johan
Franzen as he deals with post-concussion syndrome. (Photo Credit: Andy Martin
Jr)

Ideally, the Red Wings should not be in this predicament as a rebuilding team.
Hosting a firesale isn't the alternative - there's a middle ground where
Detroit can operate with cap space, young players, and veterans on the roster
as complementary pieces.

But that's not the case in Hockeytown - at least right now. Unless Zetterberg
opts to call it a career and join Franzen on LTIR, the Red Wings have quite a
bit of finessing to do once Larkin re-signs.What kind of contract will the
Detroit Red Wings sign Dylan Larkin to? Share your prediction below.

The post Detroit Red Wings'; Salary Cap Mess & How Larkin Fits appeared first
on The Hockey Writers.

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