MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a profile of Red Wings free agent try-out Alex Chiasson, who underwent hip surgery last season after not making the Boston Bruins’ roster during a PTO in 2023:
“I’ve worked really hard to come back,” Chiasson said. “It’s not easy at (34) to put in the work, but you can only do this for so long, and hopefully I can show what I can do and what I’m capable of still doing and help the organization any way I can.”
Coach Derek Lalonde called the 6-4, 208-pound Chiasson a natural net-front type.
“He’s got good instincts,” Lalonde said. “He’s hard to play against, he’s a bit of a bigger body. The two PTOs we have (Chiasson and Austin Watson), the way we’re built, I don’t think it’s an accident they’re bigger bodies to completement some of our other players.”
Lalonde said Chiasson is a little ahead of where he expected him to be after missing a year of hockey.
“He’s a smart hockey player, he’s experienced,” Lalonde said. “It’s crazy watching some practice video, see those older guys, we’re trying to teach younger guys neutral-zone coverage, proper angle from in-out, stick positioning. You can see those older guys are there already.”
Chiasson realizes this could be his last opportunity in the game.
“I know my game, I know my role, how I can help a team,” he said. “I can help my linemates just go out and do what I do best and the rest, we’ll see where it goes.”
Continued (paywall); Chiasson faces long odds in terms of earning a Red Wings contract, but he could bolster the Griffins’ lineup.