Red Wings free agent signing Theo Rochette, a 24-year-old center who played for Lausanne HC of the Swiss NLA last season, has impressed Red Wings coach Todd McLellan over the course of training camp, as Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff noted:
“A very good skater,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “Great pace, gets up to full speed fast. Transfers the puck, transports the puck at that high pace. He doesn’t slow down when he gets it. A lot of players slow down, so he does that well.”
Rochette signed as a European free agent with the Red Wings this summer. The Swiss international has spent the past four seasons playing in that country. But he is a transplanted Canadian who won a Memorial Cup with the QMJHL Quebec Remparts.
After helping Switzerland to a silver medal at last spring’s IIHF World Championship, when the Red Wings came calling, Rochette felt the timing was ideal to again pursue his NHL dream.
“I think it was a good opportunity for me,” Rochette said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted, and I had some good talks with them. At the end of the day, my dream is to play in the NHL, so I don’t want to have any regret not trying.”
Coach McLellan offered this take on Rochette’s “upside“:
“I think he’s got a chance,” McLellan said. “And if it’s not initially, hopefully he gets off to a good start in GR and forces us to use him. But I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him.”
