Former Red Wings Player Coming to Camp on PTO

Alex Chiasson’s first fling with the Detroit Red Wings was brief. It was also very effective.

Adding Chiasson to the roster following the NHL trade deadline in 2022-23, he would go on to score six goals in 20 games for Detroit.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is apparently willing to find out if lightning can strike twice. Chiasson, 33, will be on the ice Tuesday as the Red Wings open training camp in Traverse City. He will be there on a PTO.

It all starts TOMORROW!

Roster & Schedule » https://t.co/6Atolq4rjX pic.twitter.com/OH9CXtXyzJ

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 18, 2024

The 6-foot-3, 208-pound left winger was out of pro hockey last season. He attended training camp with the Boston Bruins on a PTO, but didn’t make the cut.

The previous season, Chiasson began the 2022-23 campaign on an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s top farm club. He would score nine goals and account for 20 points in 29 games with the Griffins.

After a series of deadline deals left the Red Wings short-staffed at the NHL level, the decision was made to sign Chiasson to an NHL contract and promote him to Detroit.

Chiasson Effective With Red Wings

He would prove to be an effective power-play performer in his short stint with the Red Wings. Five of Chiasson’s six goals and seven of his nine points came while Detroit was enjoying the man advantage.

To be sure, this is a longshot opportunity again for the veteran NHL forward. About 20% of players who attend NHL training camps on PTOs wind up signing a contract with that team.

Alex Chiasson scores on the power play for the 3rd CONSECUTIVE GAME. 🚨 Unreal. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/gDDRTJNrWp

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) March 15, 2023

On the other hand, Chiasson is better off playing somewhere than sitting at home. Even if the Red Wings decide they don’t want him, it gives other NHL teams the opportunity to see what he’s got left in the tank.

From the point of view of the Wings, they are going to need goal scoring. They saw 75 goals depart from last season’s lineup.

Six times in 11 NHL seasons Chiasson has hit for double digits in goals. He scored a career-high 22 goals for the Edmonton Oilers in 2018-19.