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The Detroit Red Wings came away from the first day of free agency looking better than going in – but there are plenty of areas still to address.
They signed forward Viktor Arvidsson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov, and acquired forward Keegan Kolesar via trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. Arvidsson and Kolesar will bring toughness to the lineup, something the Wings desperately need, and Arvidsson has a scoring touch, too. But the Wings still need more help in the scoring department, and the Dylan Larkin situation remains unresolved.
One important facet of the day's acquisitions was that none came with extended years: Arvidsson was brought in on a two-year, $10 million deal, and Tarasov for one year at $2 million. Kolesar has two years left at an average annual $2.5 million salary cap hit.
Here is a breakdown of what the Wings did on Wednesday, July 1.
The appeal of Arvidsson (5 feet 10, 181 pounds) is his willingness to play around the net. He's tenacious and doesn't shy away from contact. He's a capable power play producer, but for a team like the Wings that struggles at times five-on-five, Arvidsson should also help – 21 of his 25 goals last season with the Boston Bruins came during even strength.
Arvidsson, 33, projects to play wing on the second or third line, depending how the roster shakes out. He has been a scorer in his career, registering at least 25 goals in five of the past 10 seasons.
RELIVE DAY 1: Detroit Red Wings news in free agency: Insider updates and analysis
Kolesar (6-2, 216 pounds, shoots right) arrived via a trade with Vegas for a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The Wings need what he adds, too: A forward who finishes his checks and plays hard around the boards.
Kolesar, 29, had a career high 12 goals in 2024-25 with Vegas. He's more likely to score in single digits with the Wings, but given his likely slot on the fourth line, what matters is that he'll grind away and wear down opponents.
MAKING PEACE: Detroit Red Wings, Dylan Larkin get lesson in how to reconcile
The 6-5, 203-pound goalie was in net for the Florida Panthers when they routed the Wings, 8-1, in a humiliating season finale on April 15. At 27, Tarasov is about a decade younger than the Wings' previous backup, Cam Talbot. Tarasov has 98 games of NHL experience (sporting a 3.30 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage), including a career-high 33 appearances (3.05, .895) last season.
His signing doesn't mean young Czech goalie Michal Postava, coming off a terrific spring with the Grand Rapids Griffins, won't get a chance to show he can back up John Gibson come training camp – it's more insurance if Postava struggles.
The Wings brought back forward Carter Mazur on a two-year, $1.75 million deal. Mazur, 24, has struggled with injuries, but he's an energetic grinder and hard worker who fits well in the bottom six.
They added depth on defense in Jacob Bryson, who received a one-year, $850,000 deal. The 5-9, 177-pound 28-year-old, split 2025-26 between the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets, recording eight points in 50 games. He has appeared in304 NHL career games.
The Wings also signed forward Wilmer Skoog, 26, for one year at $850,000. Skoog (6-2, 196) has been in the Panthers system, and he too played in that April 15 game – one of three NHL appearances last season, as he registered two assists.
Forward Cameron Butler (6-4, 215) was signed to a one-year, two-way contract. Butler, 24, has been in the farm system of the Columbus Blue Jackets and has one NHL game on his résumé, on March 30, 2024.
These July 1 additions make the Wings look better, but hardly like a playoff team. They're tougher, but who is going to score goals? Patrick Kane, one of their top offensive players, seemingly has shut the door on a return by deciding to enter free agency. And the whole Larkin trade request is still percolating, as two months later, the Wings have yet to hear any offer worth taking.
Contact Helene St. James at [email protected].
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings look tougher, but lack of scoring punch a huge issue
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They signed forward Viktor Arvidsson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov, and acquired forward Keegan Kolesar via trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. Arvidsson and Kolesar will bring toughness to the lineup, something the Wings desperately need, and Arvidsson has a scoring touch, too. But the Wings still need more help in the scoring department, and the Dylan Larkin situation remains unresolved.
One important facet of the day's acquisitions was that none came with extended years: Arvidsson was brought in on a two-year, $10 million deal, and Tarasov for one year at $2 million. Kolesar has two years left at an average annual $2.5 million salary cap hit.
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Here is a breakdown of what the Wings did on Wednesday, July 1.
Viktor Arvidsson brings much-needed facet down low
The appeal of Arvidsson (5 feet 10, 181 pounds) is his willingness to play around the net. He's tenacious and doesn't shy away from contact. He's a capable power play producer, but for a team like the Wings that struggles at times five-on-five, Arvidsson should also help – 21 of his 25 goals last season with the Boston Bruins came during even strength.
Arvidsson, 33, projects to play wing on the second or third line, depending how the roster shakes out. He has been a scorer in his career, registering at least 25 goals in five of the past 10 seasons.
RELIVE DAY 1: Detroit Red Wings news in free agency: Insider updates and analysis
Keegan Kolesar brings physical touch
Kolesar (6-2, 216 pounds, shoots right) arrived via a trade with Vegas for a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The Wings need what he adds, too: A forward who finishes his checks and plays hard around the boards.
Kolesar, 29, had a career high 12 goals in 2024-25 with Vegas. He's more likely to score in single digits with the Wings, but given his likely slot on the fourth line, what matters is that he'll grind away and wear down opponents.
Daniil Tarasov's last victory was against the Wings
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MAKING PEACE: Detroit Red Wings, Dylan Larkin get lesson in how to reconcile
The 6-5, 203-pound goalie was in net for the Florida Panthers when they routed the Wings, 8-1, in a humiliating season finale on April 15. At 27, Tarasov is about a decade younger than the Wings' previous backup, Cam Talbot. Tarasov has 98 games of NHL experience (sporting a 3.30 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage), including a career-high 33 appearances (3.05, .895) last season.
His signing doesn't mean young Czech goalie Michal Postava, coming off a terrific spring with the Grand Rapids Griffins, won't get a chance to show he can back up John Gibson come training camp – it's more insurance if Postava struggles.
Carter Mazur has a deal
The Wings brought back forward Carter Mazur on a two-year, $1.75 million deal. Mazur, 24, has struggled with injuries, but he's an energetic grinder and hard worker who fits well in the bottom six.
They added depth on defense in Jacob Bryson, who received a one-year, $850,000 deal. The 5-9, 177-pound 28-year-old, split 2025-26 between the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets, recording eight points in 50 games. He has appeared in304 NHL career games.
The Wings also signed forward Wilmer Skoog, 26, for one year at $850,000. Skoog (6-2, 196) has been in the Panthers system, and he too played in that April 15 game – one of three NHL appearances last season, as he registered two assists.
Forward Cameron Butler (6-4, 215) was signed to a one-year, two-way contract. Butler, 24, has been in the farm system of the Columbus Blue Jackets and has one NHL game on his résumé, on March 30, 2024.
Assessing the moves
These July 1 additions make the Wings look better, but hardly like a playoff team. They're tougher, but who is going to score goals? Patrick Kane, one of their top offensive players, seemingly has shut the door on a return by deciding to enter free agency. And the whole Larkin trade request is still percolating, as two months later, the Wings have yet to hear any offer worth taking.
Contact Helene St. James at [email protected].
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings look tougher, but lack of scoring punch a huge issue
Continue reading...
