New Red Wings Additions: Roles and Predictions for 2024-25 – Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

During the year-end press conference, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman emphasized the need to improve defensively and add offensive depth.

To address these goals, Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane and Christian Fischer and added six other players – two forwards, two defensemen, and two goal scorers. Today, we'll explore the roles those actors may fill and what you can expect in terms of production.

Vladimir Tarasenko – RW

Contract: Two years, $4.75 million

Roles: Vladimir Tarasenko will be the Red Wings' top six, but he will slide into Detroit's second line alongside JT Compher. He will also be a substitute on the right side of the second power play unit, with Kane occupying that role in PP1. There, Tarasenko will be the main shooter.

Price/Production Expectations: Even at 32, 20 goals and 50 points should be possible for Tarasenko. That said, it will be interesting to see how Detroit's coaching staff pairs up the top six wings. The defensive side of Tarasenko's game is almost nonexistent, so a reliable winger—Lucas Raymond, perhaps?—may be needed to balance him out.

Tyler Motte – LW/C

Contract: One year, $800,000

Roles: Tyler Motte will serve as a defensive tackle, looking down the line. He will slide into the third or fourth line and be the main killer. In addition, Motte's ability to play center will give Detroit's coaching staff some flexibility if one of their regular centers misses time.

Price/Production Expectations: Motte's production probably won't be much different from that of Christian Fischer. He figures to score five or six goals and 15 total points while playing a deep role. A positive impact on the execution of the sentence would be an added bonus.

Related: Red Wings Projected Depth Chart for 2024-25

Erik Gustafsson – LD/RD

Contract: Two years, $2 million

Roles: Given the fact that Simon Edvinsson and Jeff Petry have worked well together for a long time—yes, you read that right—they had good goal-scoring numbers and the amount they had—it wouldn't be surprising to see Erik Gustafsson start to fight for time at the position. the third par. He'll also get a chance to run one of Detroit's power play units — something he's done the past few seasons with New York, Washington, and Chicago.

Price/Production Expectations: I estimate about 1.3 points out of 60 from Gustafsson in all about 60 games. His ability to run the hot game should keep him in the lineup more often than not — though that's something Edvinsson may eventually take over.

William Lagesson – LD

Contract: One year, $775,000

Roles: Given the depth of Detroit's blue line, William Lagesson will likely make the most of the 2024-25 season in Grand Rapids. He will actually replace Wyatt Newpower, who was not retained.

Price/Production Expectations: It would not be unreasonable to expect 0.4-0.5 points per game at the AHL level from Lagesson.

Cam Talbot – G

Contract: Two years, $2.5 million

Roles: Expect Cam Talbot to come out of training camp and the preseason as Ville Husso's 1A to 1B.

Price/Production Expectations: Expect Talbot to start around 45 games this year and put up slightly above-average numbers. Best-case scenario, the veteran netminder takes the starting role—pushing Husso into the traditional backup role—and gets the nod to start Detroit's first playoff appearance in nearly a decade.

Jack Campbell – G

Contract: One year, $775,000

Roles: A role similar to that of Lagesson – Jack Campbell is expected to act as a mentor to Sebastian Cossa.

Price/Production Expectations: It would be great to see Campbell succeed in the NHL again, but that would also mean a few strange things happening to allow for such an opportunity. Instead, expect Campbell to split time with Cossa and give the Griffins a dominant scoring tandem.

Related: Are the Red Wings a Playoff team?

The Last Word

While the Red Wings didn't make a big splash this summer, their additions—and the full seasons of Kane and Edvinsson—turned out to be a boon compared to the 2023-24 players who are no longer in the organization.

Offensively, the Red Wings are better. In their defense, supplements don't move the needle much. Development there will need to come collectively. That said, the playoffs should get to this team.