We’ve talked about Red Wings free agent signing Erik Gustafsson before over the course of this summer, and today, the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed an article which discusses the defenseman’s fit with the Wings as they prepare to fill the skates of the departing Shayne Gostisbehere:
“I like to run [the power play] on the blue line, get the puck to the forwards, shoot the puck and create lanes,” Gustafsson said. “I’m just trying to get out there and score. I’m very confident on the power play. I have been playing power play ever since I came over (from Sweden). It’s something I like to do and something my game is (about).”
Gustafsson’s versatility is something general manager Steve Yzerman thinks will strengthen the Wings.
“Erik Gustafsson will contribute to some of the offense lost with Shayne Gostisbehere and Jake Walman’s goals (on defense),” Yzerman said. “Hopefully we can keep a few more out of the net and maybe that nets out in a positive way. I don’t know what the (defensive) pairings are ultimately going to be. I have my own vision, but (coach) Derek (Lalonde) will decide that. These real mobile (defensemen) with puck skills can go on either side.”
Gustafsson has been through the havoc of free agency before. But the uncertainty of it remains taxing, so when the Wings reached out, it was a relief.
“I kind of knew which team was interested to sign me before but when the day hits it’s a little nerve-wracking,” Gustafsson said. “I’m very happy to be signed in Detroit, with all the history and the Swedes going there. I’ve been talking to (Niklas) Kronwall, too. It’s fun to be part of this team.”
Continued; Gustafsson may be a step down from Gostisbehere in terms of overall power play output, but the Red Wings are going to need everybody to step up to overcome Gostisbehere and David Perron’s departures…
And if Gustafsson can keep more goals out of his own net, the Red Wings will be a little better off with the well-traveled Swede on their blueline. That appears to be the reason why Yzerman signed him.
