As prospects from all over the league are loaned out to European leagues to get in some game action, restricted free agents may choose to do something similar. Today, Dmytro Timashov of the Detroit Red Wings was linked to Djurgardens IF of the SHL with a report indicating that he is negotiating a contract that would only last until NHL camps open again.
The Red Wings landed Timashov by selecting him off waivers in late-February, placed there after the Toronto Maple Leafs made some additions to their forward group. He ended up playing in just five games for the Red Wings before the season was put on pause, but as a restricted free agent is still under their control.
Timashov could potentially leave and play in Europe full-time next season, but after finally cracking the NHL in 2019-20 it’s not hard to see why he would want to return. In 44 games split between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings the depth forward scored four goals and nine points.
The question is now where does he fit into Detroit’s depth chart? Timashov will turn 24 before the Stanley Cup is handed out this fall and is coming off his entry-level contract. He is not eligible for arbitration but would require waivers to play in the minor leagues next season. As the Red Wings rebuild, they have more than half of their roster currently on expiring deals and set to become either restricted or unrestricted free agents. That means there will be opportunity, but it also means they may have to be picky about which players to give NHL contracts to.