The Red Wings signed 27-year-old defenseman Robert Hagg to a one-year, $800,000 contract today as Mark Pysyk suffered an offseason Achilles tendon injury which required surgery.
Hagg, a 6’2,” 205-pound defenseman, is known for his heavy hits, and the Uppsala, Sweden native spoke with Expressen’s Gunnar Nordstrom this evening regarding signing with Detroit. Here’s a rough translation of their conversation:
Eager to Help Detroit
Los Angeles. Robert Hagg, 27, was free to choose a new team in the NHL when his contract with the Florida Panthers expired this summer. Now, he’s made that choice. It’s the Detroit Red Wings.
“There were a few different options on the table, but I stuck with Detroit. Partly because of how the team looks and is structured, and also that there’s a big upside and a very exciting future there,” says Robert to SportExpressen.
On Monday, [Hagg] signed a one-year contract worth $800,000 dollars, which corresponds to about 8.2 million Swedish Krona.
The Red Wings are in the midst of a generational change and have drafted a slew of highly-rated talent over the course of recent seasons.
Some of them have already made the lineup, like Swedish forward Lucas Raymond, 20, and German defenseman Moritz Seider, 21, who won the Calder Trophy for his play in his 2021-2022 season debut.
In its pipeline, Detroit also has Swedish defensemen Simon Edvinsson, 19, Albert Johansson, 21, and Gustav Lindstrom, 23.
The fact that they get help from a Swedish compatriot with experience from several years of playing in the NHL can be an advantage.
“There are many talented players here, and it will be fun to get to know them all. I’m looking forward to getting over there and getting started,” says Hagg.
Is there any other particular reason that you got hooked on Detroit [as a destination]?
“It’s a young team, but with many players who’ve been in the league for several years and have gained experience.”
