Red Wings Sign Talbot For Goaltending Depth; Fischer Re-Signs With Detroit

The first move by the Detroit Red Wings as the NHL’s free agent frenzy got underway Monday wasn’t making a big splash. However, it was certainly filling a team need.

Inking UFA Cam Talbot to a two-year, $2.5-million pact, the Red Wings got the necessary depth they were needng between the posts. Beyond Alex Lyon and the oft-injured Ville Husso, there wasn’t another goalie in the Detroit system with a single game of NHL experience on their resumes.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed goaltender Cam Talbot to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.5M. pic.twitter.com/qsLSb8HpoA

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2024

You knew that they would be adding a veteran goalie, one who has NHL experience on his CV. Someone who can play in show, but could also be serving a role as a mentor to 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

“We will look at the goalie market and if something makes sense for us to do that we think improves us, whether that be via trade or free agency, we’re not opposed to doing that,” Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said heading into free agency.

Talbot, 36, certainly fits that mold. Detroit will be his eighth NHL club. He hasn’t played a minor-league game since 2013-14, so it will be interesting to see how the goaltending battle shapes up in training camp between him and the two returnees.

Last season, Talbot saw action in 54 games for the Los Angeles Kings. He was 27-20-6 with a .913 save percentage and 2.50 GAA.

Yzerman did indicate that he wouldn’t want to be carrying three goalies at the NHL level again next season.

“I don’t see us really doing three goaltenders throughout the course of the season,” Yzerman said.

Fischer Staying Put In Detroit

Though his numbers might not offer that indication, Christian Fischer was a valuable performer for the Red Wings last season. If he continues to be that player again next season, he’ll continue to be a bargain.

Opting to stay in Detroit, the veteran right-winger agreed to a one-year deal with an AAV of $1.25 million. Last season, Fischer was was earning $1.125 million on a one-year pact with the Red Wings.

Posting pedestrian 5-14-19 offensive production, Fischer was nonetheless one-third of a stellar checking line alongside Michael Rasmussen and Andrew Copp.

Lagesson Gives Red Wings Defensive Depth

The addition of defenseman William Lagesson was a depth move made by the Red Wings.

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Swede would play 40 games last season between the Toronto Maple Leafs (30) and Anaheim Ducks (10), collecting four assists.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed defenseman William Lagesson to a one-year contract with an AAV of $775K. pic.twitter.com/ULnGXFKIHD

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2024

Detroit didn’t really have much in GR last season in the way of defenders with any significant NHL playing experience. Lagesson, 28 has seen duty in 100 NHL games.

Lagesson and the Red Wings agreed to terms on a one-year deal for the NHL minimum salary of $775,000.

Dries Holds Local Ties

Another player who figures to be heading to Grand Rapids is center Sheldon Dries. He’s from Macomb, Michigan and played college hockey for the Western Michigan Broncos.

Dries agreed to a two-year, two-way deal. He’ll earn $775,00 in the NHL and $475,000 in the AHL. Dries, 30, spent all last season with AHL Abbotsford, Vancouver’s top farm club, netting 29 goals in 55 games. In 202-23, he scored 11 goals in 63 NHL games with the Canucks.