Stuart Unlikely To Return To Wings: Brad Stuart is expected to leave the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent this summer, MLive.com reports. (Updated 04/22/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
It's believed that Brad Stuart will seek out an opportunity to play closer to his family in San Jose, while the Wings are expected to pursue another top-four blueliner (potentially, Nashville's Ryan Suter) in free agency. Although Stuart isn't a great fantasy asset, his departure will create a large void on the Detroit blue line if general manager Ken Holland doesn't find a top-tier free agent to replace him. (Updated 04/22/2012).
05/08/2012 11:31 Where do the Predators, Ryan Suter go from here after disappointing exit?
The Nashville Predators were seen as a real Cup contender this season, but after being bounced by the Coyotes in five games, the questions begin about what happens with Ryan Suter and the rest of the roster.
With a secure place in one of the Wings' top two defensive pairings, Stuart lacks the offensive upside you would expect from someone who could wind up skating alongside of Nicklas Lidstrom this season. His steady play in the defensive zone has been a nice constant for the Wings during his three-plus seasons in Detroit. Unfortunately, a 30-point ceiling won't provide much for fantasy owners as he doesn't contribute enough in plus/minus or penalty minutes for most league formats, but Stuart is an underrated player who racks up plenty of hits and blocks more than his share of shots in front of goaltender Jimmy Howard. (Updated 10/4/11)
