The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted an article profiling Red Wings free agent acquisition Daniel Sprong this morning. The speedy left winger from Amsterdam stands at 6′ and 194 pounds, and the 26-year-old inked a 1-year, $2 million contract with Detroit on July 1st.
As such, Sprong believes that he will thrive on a deeper, stronger Red Wings team:
“If you look at our team last year in Seattle, we had four lines that can play,” Sprong said in early July. “The way I played last year on the power play and scoring five-on-five, I think that’s something I excelled at, and the defensive side as well, and I am excited to bring that to Detroit.”
Sprong, 26, posted 46 points in 66 games in 2022-23; over hist previous seasons, with Seattle and the Washington Capitals, his goal output was in the mid-teens. Of the 22 players who scored either 20 or 21 goals last season, Sprong was the only one to average less than 12 minutes per game. Even so, the Kraken did not give Sprong a qualifying offer, and now he is eyeing an opportunity with the Wings.
“I think it will be a good fit for both sides,” Sprong said. “I thought it would be a good fit to be there and help with the scoring and grow with the guys there and be part of the organization. Detroit was only 12 points out of the playoffs, so you’re talking about maybe a six-or-seven game swing. You’re not far out.”
Continued; Sprong may very well find himself on a line with Jonatan Berggren, Michael Rasmussen, or J.T. Compher, so he’s going to have some talent feeding the young sniper passes.
