If Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman were a baseball player, he’d be having himself a solid summer. After all, he’s batting .333.

Yzerman’s personnel objectives entering the NHL offseason were threefold. He was seeking to add a frontline netminder, a top-six forward, and a top-four defender. He got goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks to fill the first need. However, he came up empty in the other two pursuits.

Red Wings Could Still Make A Trade

There’s still the chance that Yzerman could go the trade route to fill these voids. Names like the Pittsburgh Penguins duo of Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell are among the top-line forwards being bandied about in NHL trade rumors.

Let’s suppose for the time being that this route doesn’t come to fruition, and Yzerman is left to fill his top-six forward role from within. He’ll need to be answering the following question:

Who joins Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on Detroit’s top forward unit?

DHN took a look at the possibilities.

Alex DeBrincat

Detroit’s leading goal scorer last season, with 39, DeBrincat did see time playing alongside Larkin and Raymond. Adding DeBrincat to 30-goal scorer Larkin and 80-point producer Raymond would give the Red Wings a loaded first line.

On the other hand, it takes DeBrincat away from Patrick Kane and the magical chemistry those two tend to display when skating together.

James van Riemsdyk

Yzerman did suggest that he could see JVR skating with the top forward unit. However, at the age of 36, does he have the legs and can he supply a consistent level of productivity to do it consistently? Probably not.

It’s more likely that the Red Wings will be slotting in van Riemsdyk alongside Kane and Marco Kasper in a new version of two old goats and a kid.

Elmer Soderblom

In his limited NHL exposure, Soderblom has shown he can put the puck in the net. His big body would certainly help to control pucks down low and might free up Raymond to be even more creative.

Is he ready for such a major role on the club at this juncture? Ultimately, that’s the question in need of an answer.

Jonatan Berggren

Given a brief late-season shot on this unit, Berggren displayed some promise. His offensive instincts are an absolute fit. And Red Wings coach Todd McLellan believes he must play Berggren somewhere in his top nine for him to effectively utilize his skill set.

Berggren’s defensive deficiencies could prove a detriment. Remember, the top unit generally is squaring off against one of the top units from the opposition squad.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

This one’s a bit of a wild card. Brandsegg-Nygard’s big body and finishing skills would be a definite asset. He also showed during a brief stint last season playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins that he’s a quick learner.

In reality, though, unless he has a monster training camp, the Norwegian is likely destined to begin the campaign with GR. He could be someone like Kasper, who finds his way to Detroit quicker than most prospects.

Eduards Tralmaks

The real longshot in this equation. Could the Latvian winger jump directly into such a significant NHL role after signing as a European free agent? Tralmaks led the Czech Extraliga in scoring. He has played extensively in North America previously, including an AHL stint.

Still, that’s a big step to take without some time given for an adjustment period.