DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted an article which discusses new Red Wings forward Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson, a 33-year-old forward, joined the Wings as a free agent on July 1st, and he spoke with the media two days later:
“I know Todd [McLellan] and I really liked playing under him,” Arvidsson said in his introductory Zoom call with the media last Thursday. “It was an easy decision. I’m happy to be a Red Wing, and it’s going to be fun.”
The 2025-26 campaign was another productive one for the 33-year-old forward, who reached the 20-goal mark for the sixth time in his 12-year NHL career, totaling 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 69 regular-season games before scoring two goals in four Stanley Cup Playoff contests with the Boston Bruins.
Arvidsson valued playing with mostly the same linemates this past season, explaining how he felt that consistency helped him offensively.
“I think I’ve always been good, scored and created offense at 5-on-5,” he said. “And defensively, I’ve been good. I just feel like going from L.A. to Edmonton, I kind of got stuck in Edmonton a little bit with not playing consistently 5-on-5 and playing with a lot of different people. In Boston, I played with the same players. You create that chemistry with certain players, and I think we meshed together last year really well. It was fun to play. I just think I compete so hard. I get chances. I like to be around the net and find loose pucks. That’s a big part of my game.”
Arvidsson also discussed his desire to help the Red Wings’ leadership as a veteran forward who’s familiar with coach McLellan’s “tough but fair” coaching style:
“I’m going to bring a competitive aspect to the game and try to be a role model for the younger guys,” Arvidsson said. “Just bring some leadership, try to play hard, put my best in front and just go from there.”
As he mentioned, another reason Arvidsson is excited about joining the Red Wings is the chance to reunite with McLellan, who coached him in Los Angeles for parts of three seasons (2021-24).
“He’s really structured and always has a plan,” Arvidsson said of McLellan. “It’s defense first and then if you play really good defense, you’re going to have success offensively. I think that’s a big part that I like about him. He’s honest and really straight up with all the players and everybody around the team.”
Continued; here’s Arvidsson’s introductory presser:
