The Left Wing Lock

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Cam Lanigan

The Detroit Red Wings have invited four free agents to their training camp and prospect tournament in Traverse City beginning September 5th. The Red Wings, who are close to the 50 contract limit, will take a long look at the free agents but would likely need to free space or defer contracts  in order to sign players. Following is a review of the invitees (listed alphabetically).

• Barclay Goodrow – The 6-foot-2, 214 pound forward played four seasons with Brampton of the OHL. The Toronto Ontario native was eligible for the last three drafts but went unselected. Despite that, the big forward has drawn plenty of interest from pro teams attending three development camps the last two years (Carolina / 2011, Los Angelos / 2012, New York Rangers / 2012). Goodrow, who plays a power forward style, has decent numbers – posting 52 points in the last two season with Brampton – but scouts have knocked his skating and lack of foot speed. The former captain of the Battalion signed an amateur try-out contract with the Connecticut Whale last season but did not see any action. Goodrow participated in the Wings July development camp and he will also take part in the 2013 prospect tournament for the Red Wings.

• Cam Lanigan – The 6-foot-3, 202 pound goalie spent the bulk of last season with the Medicine Hat tigers of the WHL where he posted a 3.00 goals against and .910 save percentage in 46 appearances. Lanigan has also spent time with Edmonton, Kamloops, and Portland over the past five WHL seasons. The well traveled goalie had a good chance of being drafted in 2010 after his final central scouting ranking jumped from 23rd best goalie to 9th, but he went undrafted. The 21 year-old netminder covers a lot of net with his big frame, bu has battled with consistency in his career and never posted below a 3.00 goals against.

• Jordan Maletta – The 6-foot-3, 215 pound right wing is a physical forward who was passed over in the June draft. Maletta played just 26 games last season for Niagara of the OHL scoring 3 goals and 8 points. The 18 year-old, whose season was cut short by a knee injury, plays an all around game and has good mobility for his large frame. Maletta has plenty of potential as a power forward but hasn’t been consistent enough to convince NHL scouts of his potential.

• Michal Plutnar – The 6-foot-2, 175 pound defensemen spent the last two seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. In 69 games last season, he scored 7 goals and 28 points in 69 games. Despite being rated the 182nd skater by central scouting in 2012, Plutnar was not selected in either of the past two drafts. The 19 year-old is an average skater who has some offensive upside, but is a long-term project. The Chotebor, Czech Republic native is a good passer and has a solid defensive game but lacks the strength to play a consistent physical game.