It’s entirely possible that this season, the Detroit Red Wings will be coloring their center position maize and blue. Depending upon how they opt to slot their lines, the center on each of Detroit’s four forward units could be a former Michigan Wolverines player.

If that’s not bizarre enough, all four of them were teammates on the same Michigan squad in 2014-15.

“Yeah, it’s interesting,” admitted Tyler Motte, the newest addition to this quartet of ex-Wolverines. “I mean, I’m sure it’s an option for the staff. I think we’ll let them sort that out.

“It does show what Michigan hockey’s produced over the last few years and even, I guess, decades now, but it’s a pretty unique situation.”

Let the fun begin! #LGRW

: Motte – https://t.co/9pdNOo4Ygm
: Husso – https://t.co/5aPAaXkQFk
: Kasper – https://t.co/sCytaeMpIH
: Newsy – https://t.co/7vm7jAFulc pic.twitter.com/cyBcCCcWHK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 21, 2024

Captain Dylan Larkin will certainly be Detroit’s No. 1 center. Behind him, J.T. Compher is slotting in as No. 2 center, with Andrew Copp pivoting the third line. Motte, a summer addition as a UFA, is looking like he’ll be at center on the fourth line.

On that 2014-15 Michigan squad, Larkin (47), Copp (31) and Motte (31) were 2-3-4 in points. Compher was eighth in scoring with 24 points for the Wolverines. As far as goal scoring, Larkin (15) was second, Copp (14) third, Compher (12) fifth and Motte (nine) seventh.

Red Wings Brass Aren’t Michigan Men

Earlier this summer, Yzerman made it abundantly clear that he hasn’t suddenly become a Michigan man. He’s not bringing these guys to Detroit for sentimental reasons.

“We don’t care where the players are from,” Yzerman said. “That they’re from the area is nice, but most importantly, we’re trying to build a good team on the ice.”

Even since arriving in Detroit three years ago, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was making it equally clear that Motte was a player he covets.

F Tyler Motte will wear jersey number 14 for the Detroit Red Wings. Number last worn by Robby Fabbri in 2023-24. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/hxxOBf5E4E

— NHL Jersey Numbers (@NHLNewNumbers) August 16, 2024

“I watched a lot of him in the league,” Lalonde said. “It’s someone we’ve talked about the last few years around that free agency time.

“I like the player.”

Suiting up all four centers from the same college hockey team certainly makes for an interesting anecdote. It isn’t why they are Red Wings, though.

A much more compelling story to tell would be if these four Michigan men were playing a role in leading Michigan’s NHL team back to the promised land of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The post Red Wings Could Be Maize And Blue Down The Middle appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings were adding another journeyman NHLer late Tuesday when they were inking veteran center Tyler Motte to a one-year pact with a AAV of $800,000.

Detroit will be Motte’s seventh NHL team. Previous seasons saw him suiting up with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed forward Tyler Motte to a one-year contract with an AAV of $800K. pic.twitter.com/BSX6YTt5vz

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 3, 2024

With the Lightning last season, Motte, 29, was accounting for 6-3-9 digits over 63 games. No NHL season has ever seen him scoring more than nine goals. In 400 NHL games, Motte shows 49-41-90 totals.

This will be a homecoming for Motte. Born in St. Clair, Michigan, Motte was a youth hockey player for Detroit Honeybaked and later was with the Michigan-based USNTDP. He played college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines. Among his teammates at Ann Arbor were Detroit captain Dylan Larkin and Red Wings teammates Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher.

The scouting report on Motte is making him sound like the prototype of a player that Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde will love. Lacking in size at 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, he’s a speedy skater and energy player, Motte is known for his effectiveness as a penalty killer and his tenacity as a checker.

Red Wings Pick Up Snively

The lesser-known among Detroit’s two latest UFA additions, center Joe Snively is a two-time cup winner. Sure, it’s two wins of the AHL Calder Cup, but considering his destiny figures to see him playing for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Snively can help continue the building of a winning culture within Detroit’s top farm club.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed forward Joe Snively to a one-year, two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/PvsLXdQH69

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 2, 2024

This spring, Snively, 28, accounted for 18 points in 20 games as the Hershey Bears won their second Calder Cup in three years. His pro tenure has seen him spending 27 games in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. Snively shows 6-5-11 numbers in the show.

Snively played college hockey at Yale, where he was a teammate of Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon. Just 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, Snively makes up for his lack of size by playing a tenacious brand of hockey. He isn’t afraid to go to the hard areas on the ice.

Snively agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way deal. If he’s in the NHL, the pact will be paying him the league minimum of $775,000.

The post Red Wings Deepen Roster With Latest UFA Additions appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.