Where Have All The Former Red Wings Gone?

Perhaps you’ve had trouble keeping track of all the offseason NHL movement involving players who were once part of the Detroit Red Wings organization. We certainly have, so as a public service and without further ado, here’s a complete up to the minute rundown of the new homes that old Red Wings have found so far this summer.

Former Red Wings Still On The Market

For starters, let’s discuss those ex-Red Wings who remain homeless in terms of a hockey location.

A year ago, forward Filip Zadina would roll the dice. He was making the choice to walk away from $4.65 million of guaranteed money from the Red Wings. Gaining his freedom, he’d sign for one year and $1.1 million with the San Jose Sharks.

This summer, it was the Sharks who were opting to walk away. Unemployed, there is speculation in Czech hockey circles that Zadina is eyeing Europe as a potential new hockey home.

Jakub Vrana’s stock has been in free fall since he took time away from the game to deal with substance abuse issues through the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The Red Wings sent him to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and ultimately would trade Vrana to the St. Louis Blues.

Last season, Vrana would again wind up in the AHL. He’s a UFA and so far, is without takers. Word is that Vrana wants another chance to prove himself in the NHL and might even accept an AHL pact to stay in the North American game.

Perhaps the most surprising unwanted UFA among the ex-Wings is 18-goal scorer Daniel Sprong. The general feeling that he’s the top remaining UFA from this year’s crop. So far, though, Sprong hasn’t been able to find a taker.

Likewise, former Detroit defenseman Gustav Lindstrom, with 174 NHL games under his belt, remains in search of a home, as are defenseman Marc Staal, forwards Adam Erne, Sam Gagner and Dominik Kubalik and goalie Magnus Hellberg.

Those Who Signed NHL Deals

Among the first UFAs to switch teams on July 1 was David Perron. The two-season Red Wings forward took a two-year, $4-million deal from the Ottawa Senators. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a three-year, $9.6-million pact.

Winger Anthony Mantha was accepting a one-year, $3.5-million pact from the Calgary Flames. Tyler Bertuzzi went to the Chicago Blackhawks on a four-year, $22 million contract. Forward Zach Aston-Reese was agreeing to terms on a one-year, two-way deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Congratulations to Zach Aston-Reese on signing a 1-year contract (two way $475/$775k)with the Vegas #VegasBorn Golden Knights! #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/gkmpf6nGKH

— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) July 1, 2024

Goalie James Reimer agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Eric Comrie, another former Detroit goaltender, joined the Winnipeg Jets.

Defenseman Robert Hagg, with the Red Wings for 38 games in 2022-23, signed with Vegas. Jordan Oesterle, a Red Wings rearguard from 2021-23, is joining the Boston Bruins on a one-year deal.

Brendan Smith joined the Dallas Stars on a one-year deal. Troy Stecher, another ex-Wings defender, was opting to re-up with the Edmonton Oilers rather that explore the market. Forward Tomas Nosek inked a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers. Center Mitchell Stephens agreed to terms with the Seattle Kraken. Winger Tomas Tatar went to the New Jersey Devils on a one-year deal.

Minor League Deals

Though he never made it to Detroit, Wyatt Newpower was an ever-present with the AHL Griffins for three seasons. He’s joining Bridgeport via an AHL pact. Forward Kyle Criscuolo signed an AHL deal with Charlotte. Defenseman Robbie Russo signed an AHL deal with Tucson and defenseman Dan Renouf signed an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre Scranton, the Pittsburgh Penguins farm team. Former Red Wings draftee Alec Regula signed a two-way deal with Boston.

Players who formerly had Detroit connections that are still available and could wind up accepting minor-league deals include forwards Austin Czarnik, Turner Elson, Taro Hirose, defenseman Mark Pysyk and goalie Michael Hutchinson.

Heading To Europe

Defenseman Radim Simek, acquired from San Jose at the NHL trade deadline, spent the remainder of the 2023-24 season with the Griffins. He’s made the decision to return home and play for his old club, HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.

Goalie John Lethemon left the Toledo Walleye and will play next season for Lukko Rauma in Finland’s SM-liiga. Ex-Detroit defenseman Xavier Ouellet is joining Dinamo Minsk of Russia’s KHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins' pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) D Xavier Ouellet has signed with Minsk (KHL), beginning next season (2024-25).#LetsGoPens

(📷: RDS) pic.twitter.com/2girwDcMmf

— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) June 3, 2024

Former Red Wings finding new homes in Europe include forwards Chase Pearson (Austria’s Villacher SV) and Dominic Turgeon (Germany’s EC Kassel Huskies), as well as goalie Tom McCollum (Britain’s Belfast Giants).