The Red Wings signed 32-year-old defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a 2-year, $4 million contract on July 1st after Shayne Gostisbehere chose to leave the team to rejoin the Carolina Hurricanes. As DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills notes, Gustafsson knows that he’s going to be expected to step up and attempt to fill Gostisbehere’s role, if not his point totals:
“I like to run [the power play] on the blue line, get the puck to the forwards, shoot the puck, create lanes,” Gustafsson said. “I’m just trying to get out there and score. I’m very confident on the power play.”
Gustafsson said he received interest from multiple teams when 2024 NHL free agency opened, but he’s pleased he chose the Red Wings.
“(Free agency) is a little nerve-wracking, but I knew which teams were interested in signing me,” Gustafsson said. “I’m very happy to be signed with Detroit, with all the history and Swedes going there.”
Gustafsson also said he’s eager to reunite with several familiar faces in Detroit, previously playing with Tyler Motte for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs (2016-17), Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat in Chicago (2017-20, 2021-22), goalie Cam Talbot in Calgary (2019-20), Olli Maatta in Chicago (2019-20), netminder Alex Lyon in Philadelphia (2020-21), Ben Chiarot and Jeff Petry in Montreal (2020-21) Joe Snively in Washington (2022-23) and Justin Holl in Toronto (2022-23).
“With the skill and group we have, I think we can take another step this year,” Gustafsson said. “It’s going to be fun to see Kaner back here too and be on the same team as him again. I’m looking forward to this year.”
Continued; Gustafsson’s been a bit of a journeyman over the past half-decade, and he’ll be looking for a home in Detroit.
