Questioning the Appleton signing

The Red Wings signed 29-year-old grinding forward Mason Appleton to a 2-year contract at $2.9 million per season. I like the signing–it bolsters the Wings’ bottom-six with a 6’2,” 194 pound center/winger who more than replaces Craig Smith and Tyler Motte with a bigger, faster, tougher player with more offensive upside.

I’ll grant you that it’s very much so a depth signing, and an expensive one at that, but I believe that Appleton makes the Wings’ bottom six better than it was last season.

I’m not saying that the Wings don’t still need to add a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman, presumably by trade, but the signing is satisfactory for me.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff isn’t so sure, describing the signing as “puzzling“:

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman does seem to like to collect honest, 200-foot players who can play in his bottom six. But those aren’t guys who are going to be moving the needle.

Appleton was 12th on the Jets in scoring with 22 points. His 0.31 points per game average was third-worst among Winnipeg forwards who were playing at least 50 games. So no, he isn’t going to be making regular contributions to the offense. His plus-seven rating would’ve looked good on Detroit, but it was 18th overall on the Jets.

Appleton is 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, so he does bring some size. Will he have an impact in making the Red Wings a heavier team that’s harder to play against? His numbers suggest no.

Appleton’s 4.3 hits per 60 minutes rated 17th on the Jets. His 1.65 blocked shots per 60 was tied for last on the team. Might he be providing a boost to Detroit’s moribund penalty hill? The evidence says no. Appleton saw just 45 seconds per game on the PK for Winnipeg. Six Jets forwards were logging more shorthanded ice time.

So, when you figure out how this move makes sense, let us know, because we’re completely puzzled by this decision. At first glance, this signing has all the earmarks of one that’s going to come back to bite the Red Wings.

Again, I’ll take the signing and run with it, but not everybody agrees when it comes to critiquing player movement, and in this case, Duff makes a good case to wonder where Appleton fits going forward. My hope is that he’ll help the 3rd or 4th line in a more meaningful way than his predecessors.

Always good to hear about a prospect (Dylan James) excelling in school

Per the University of North Dakota:

A total of six members of the 2024-25 North Dakota hockey program were honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) on Wednesday as 2024-25 AHCA/Krampade Division I All-American Scholars. 

To qualify, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.75 GPA for each semester, and had to appear in 40% of the team’s games. Exceptions were granted to injured players and back-up goaltenders. Schools also were required to be members of the AHCA.

Dalton Andrew, Cody Croal, Hobie Hedquist, Louis Jamernik V, Dylan James and Caleb MacDonald were all honored for the their work in the classroom last season, with Jamernik V earning the honor for the fourth time in his career. James was selected for the third time in his career while Andrew, Croal, Hedquist and MacDonald collected their first honor.

James, a 6,’ 190-pound left wing, has just completed his junior season at North Dakota.

An endorsement for Red Wings depth signing, defenseman Ian Mitchell

The Hockey News’s Michael De Rosa, who follows the Boston Bruins, offers an intriguing take on Red Wings depth signing and defenseman Ian Mitchell:

It is understandable that the Red Wings are taking a shot on Mitchell. It is not a secret that they need more defensive depth on their right side, and he should be a nice pickup for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, at a minimum. However, he could also be a candidate to be an extra defenseman on their NHL roster if he puts together a strong training camp.

Mitchell spent each of the last two seasons with the Bruins organization after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the deal that sent Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Windy City. In 28 games over two seasons with Boston, he posted three assists, eight hits, 36 blocks, and a plus-4 rating. 

Mitchell spent most of this season in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. In 47 games with the AHL squad, Mitchell posted four goals, 27 points, and a plus-11 rating. He also had one assist and a minus-2 rating in 15 contests for Boston in 2024-25. 

Summer pics: Moritz Seider takes part in the BMW International Open pro-am

From Getty Images: Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider took part in the pro-am for the BMW International Open golf tournament in Munich, Germany today:

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Update: Per NHL.com/de, Seider golfed with his friend Tim Stuetzle of the Ottawa Senators:

Cerebral van Riemsdyk is excited to have finally joined the Red Wings

Updated at 7:53 PM: New Red Wings forward James van Riemsdyk spoke with the media today, and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan noted that the big power forward has been rumored to be coming to Detroit for multiple seasons now:

“Kind of funny, back a few years ago it seemed like it was a team that was interested in bringing me aboard,” said van Riemsdyk Wednesday in a Zoom call with Detroit media. “Going through the free-agency process, when they started showing some interest, it seemed like a good fit. The trajectory of the team, they’re trying to make a push and the playoffs next year, all the history of being an Original Six place. That was super exciting. I have a lot of familiarity with the team, too. It checked a lot of boxes.”

The Wings are looking for van Riemsdyk, 36, to supply offense in the middle of their forward lineup. Last season in Columbus, van Riemsdyk had 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points, in 71 games. He has scored at least 11 goals every year of his 16-year NHL career.

Being in the NHL that long, van Riemsdyk is confident he can adapt to whatever coach Todd McLellan needs from him.

“Especially over the last few years, as you kind of get older in your career, you kind have a calling card as a player,” van Riemsdyk said. “You have to find ways to get a bit more versatile and add value in different ways to a team, being able to contribute in different ways. I’ve been able to add different things to my game that make me play in different spots all over the lineup. You balance those things to playing your identity and calling card and being adaptable and versatile and being able to play different types of roles.”

Here’s more from 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield:

Continue reading Cerebral van Riemsdyk is excited to have finally joined the Red Wings

Press release: Red Wings confirm Mason Appleton signing; 2 years, $2.9 million AAV

The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed the signing of center Mason Appleton to a 2-year, $2.9 million AAV contract:

RED WINGS SIGN MASON APPLETON TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

  … Michigan State University Product Has Skated in 400 Games with Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken Since 2018-19 …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Mason Appleton to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.9 million.

Appleton, 29, spent the 2024-25 season with the Winnipeg Jets, recording 22 points (10-12-22), a plus-seven rating and 22 penalty minutes in 71 regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound forward also finished with seven assists and 14 penalty minutes in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Appleton played the 2023-24 season with the Jets and set career highs in games played (82), goals (14), assists (22), points (36), plus/minus (+16), power play goals (2), shots (122), hits (107), blocks (44) and average time on ice (16:03). He also registered two assists and six penalty minutes in five postseason contests. Originally selected by Winnipeg in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Appleton has collected 138 points (57-81-138), a plus-35 rating and 124 penalty minutes in 400 games with the Jets and Seattle Kraken since 2018-19. Appleton also tallied 99 points (37-62-99), a plus-five rating and 81 penalty minutes in 120 games with the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose from 2017-20, earning a place on the AHL’s First All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team in 2017-18. He was named the recipient of the 2017-18 Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding rookie after leading all freshmen in assists (44) and points (66) in 76 games.

Continue reading Press release: Red Wings confirm Mason Appleton signing; 2 years, $2.9 million AAV

Duff on Michal Pradel’s Major Junior options

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of the fact that Red Wings prospect and 2025 draft pick Michal Pradel has his “pick of the litter” after being selected by the WHL’s Regina Pats in the CHL Import draft today:

In all likelihood, he’ll be back again playing for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL.

“Yeah, probably yes,” Pradel said. “I like Tri-City so much. They gave me a lot of games in a short amount of time. So I really like it there.”

Unless . . .

“We will see what is happening also in the CHL Draft,” Pradel was adding quickly.

Well, something happened, and it happened quickly. The WHL Regina Pats made Pradel the fourth overall selection of Thursday’s draft.

Now, when it comes to his decision as to where he’ll play next season, Pradel is a young man with options.

Continued

Big Elmer believes that his game’s still improving

97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield notes this about Red Wings forward Elmer Soderblom, who signed a 2-year, $2.5 million contract with the Red Wings earlier today…

A 6’8 forward who’s come a long way since being drafted in the sixth-round in 2019, Söderblom scored four goals and 11 points in 26 games with the Wings last season, earning more ice time in March and April. His size and improved skating made him an effective fore-checker. He also has some skill to make plays, which earned him a look at one point on Detroit’s top line.

It was a modest but important step forward for a player who spent all of the season prior in Grand Rapids after debuting with the Red Wings in 2022-23. When he finally got another look last season following the team’s coaching change from Derek Lalonde to Todd McLellan, Söderblom didn’t disappoint.

“It feels like my confidence got better and better during my time here,” he said at the end of the season. “I’m looking forward to next season to prove even more.”

Söderblom missed the final three games of the season with an injury, but will be good to go for training camp.

“I want to keep working on every detail,” he said. “It takes a lot of small details to play in this league. Be physical and use my size to my advantage, and keep playing my game.”

And Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff added this:

“There’s big players in the NHL,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “Some don’t have the hands, or the instincts, and size just becomes one-dimensional. I think Elmer has the other tools to go with it. Once he learns to use it effectively and to leverage it against defensive players while he’s looking for people to make plays to or timing, and using it and getting to the net, it can be a factor. He grew up on a different sheet of ice, game’s played a little bit differently. He’s had enough time to come over and adapt, and learn to react at the American League level.”

Soderblom believes that another factor is turning him into an NHLer. It’s learning how to be a consistent, reliable presence in the lineup.

“I think just the everyday, like the way you play every day, you have to find a way to play for 82 games,” Soderblom explained. “You have to find a way to be consistent. I think a lot of the veteran guys know how to do that. I mean, they bring something to the table every night, so I think just find a way to be consistent. It’s going to be huge for me, and I think that’s a step in the right direction.”

Guimond, Robertson-Palmer ready to become teammates with Moncton Wildcats

The Detroit Red Wings’ 2025 Summer Development Camp will end with a 4-on-4 game which will take place tomorrow at 10 AM, to be streamed on DetroitRedWings.com. The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan spoke with goaltender Rudy Guimond and forward Grayden Robinson-Palmer, who held media availabilities today, regarding their experiences at camp:

“I came in with the expectation to learn from the coaches and management staff, but also to learn from these amazing players that are here with me,” said Robertson-Palmer, a center who has gotten skating tips from Daniel Cleary. “I’ve gotten that opportunity. It’s been a lot of fun. I like it.”

Robertson-Palmer is joined at this camp by goaltender Rudy Guimond (2023 sixth round). The two Wings draft picks will be teammates in junior hockey in Moncton next season.

“I met him here for the first time and he seems a great guy,” Robertson-Palmer said. “I’m kind of excited to have that older mentor there who is familiar with Detroit. He’ll be a 20-year-old, overage (player). He’s a goalie but he can help me with advice, how to train or how to become a pro.”

Robertson-Palmer is excited to play under Moncton coach Gardiner MacDougall, who led Moncton to a QMJHL championship and was named junior coach of the year in the Canadian Hockey League.

“He’s an interesting guy,” said Guimond, who was 16-0-0 in the regular season with a .940 save percentage. “The big thing is he tailors his way of doing things toward the person that you are, so he gets the best out of all his guys. That’s really impressive.”