After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2024-25 regular season, which starts Oct. 4. Today, the Detroit Red Wings:
2023-24 season: 41-32-9, fifth in Atlantic Division; missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key arrivals
Cam Talbot, G: The Red Wings signed the 37-year-old to a two-year, $5 million contract on July 1. He bounced back from a rough 2022-23 with the Ottawa Senators by going 27-20-6 with a .913 save percentage to help the Los Angeles Kings qualify for the playoffs and will battle for the starting job with Ville Husso, Alex Lyon and Jack Campbell. … Vladimir Tarasenko, F: The Red Wings filled their need for another top-six scorer with a two-time Stanley Cup champion. At 32 years old, Tarasenko isn’t the same player who averaged 36.4 goals and 71.2 points a season for the St. Louis Blues between 2014-19, but he scored 23 goals last season between the Senators and Panthers, then had five more during Florida’s run to the Stanley Cup. … Tyler Motte, F: For the third straight season, one of Dylan Larkin’s college teammates from the University of Michigan was added in free agency. The 29-year-old should be a solid defensive presence among Detroit’s bottom-six forwards. He had nine points (six goals, three assists) in 69 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. … Erik Gustafsson, D: The 32-year-old had 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) in 76 games for the New York Rangers last season and could run the second power-play unit.
Key departures
Shayne Gostisbehere, D: Gostisbehere led Detroit with 46 assists last season, including 27 on the power play, and scored 10 goals. He signed a three-year, $9.6 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1. … David Perron, F: The 36-year-old scored 17 goals and can still change games with his forechecking. He was also a key member of the team’s leadership group. Perron signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Senators on July 1. … Jake Walman, D: Walman was traded to the San Jose Sharks on June 25; he has scored 21 goals over the past two seasons. … Daniel Sprong, F: Sprong has been an unrestricted free agent since July 1. He scored 18 goals last season after scoring 21 for the Seattle Kraken in 2022-23.
