Yahoo Sports’ Justin Cuthbert posted the following take on the Red Wings’ particularly active first day of free agency, deeming the Wings a “winner” of the first day…

Steve Yzerman had to show something resembling short-term ambition at some point. While he’s earned the luxury of executing a slow and methodical rebuild, we’ve reached the point where the Red Wings need to demonstrate some on-ice progress.

Yzerman took steps toward that in the early stages of free agency, adding three legitimate top-nine forwards between Andrew Copp, David Perron and Dominik Kubalik, who together form some much-needed insulation for a young core. Copp arrives at a bit of a rich price tag at five years with an average annual value of $5.625 million, but Perron and Kubalik will cost a combined $7.25 million and could conceivably provide in the neighbourhood of 50 combined goals.

Detroit also brought in an experienced defender to insulate Moritz Seider on the back end in Ben Chiarot. His value may exclusively be tied to taking the load off the Calder Trophy winner by eating up some of the more taxing and difficult minutes.

While Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin suggests that the Red Wings lie in the “murky middle“:

DetroitRedWings.com’s Daniella Bruce confirms that the Red Wings will stream tomorrow morning’s 3-on-3 games at the 2022 summer development camp:

?REMINDER: We will have live coverage of the @DetroitRedWings Development Camp 3v3 Tournament tomorrow starting at 8:00am!! Wake up with me, @KenKalDRW, & @ArthurJRegner on Red Wings, Facebook, & Website ? #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) July 13, 2022

Here is the schedule:

8:00-9:45 AM: 3 on 3 tournament game 1

9:00-9:45 AM 3 on 3 tournament game 2

10-10:45 AM 3 on 3 tournament consolation game

11-11:45 AM 3 on 3 tournament championship game

From new Red Wings forward David Perron:

To the Blues fans and players. I’ll never forget you! thanks for the memories it breaks my heart to think it’s over but looking forward to see you at Stanley Cup Reunions @StLouisBlues— David Perron (@DP_57) July 13, 2022

Hello @DetroitRedWings , Cant wait to get going and being able to prove myself all over again! It will be an honor to play for an Original Six team. Thanks for the welcome and see you very soon— David Perron (@DP_57) July 13, 2022

WXYZ’s Jeanna Trotman discussed the Red Wings’ more notable free agent signings (Andrew Copp, Olli Maatta, Ben Chiarot and Dominik Kubalik) this evening…

The opening hours of free agency were exciting for the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman made SEVERAL moves to bolster the team’s goal-scoring & strengthen the blue line. Agree w/ the “Yzer-plan” or not, this team will be significantly better than they were last season. pic.twitter.com/TzOGqBdHRR— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) July 13, 2022

As did Bally Sports Detroit’s John Keating:

It doesn’t take long for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to get busy as free agency begins. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/3WFSC9pOVi— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) July 13, 2022

From the Red Wings’ Twitter account:

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed right wing Matt Luff to a one-year, two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/B80qJy9NQl— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 13, 2022

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed center Austin Czarnik to a two-year, two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/Hz2t8j7euz— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 13, 2022

Red Wings additions Andrew Copp, David Perron and Ben Chiarot spoke with the Wings’ media corps today:

Per the NHL Network, here’s Andrew Copp speaking with said network…

And the NHL Tonight weighed in on Copp’s deal:

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday signed center Joel L’Esperance (lehs-pehr-AWNCE) to a two-year contract.

L’Esperance, 26, has been within the Dallas Stars organization since the 2018-19 season and most recently posted a career-high 49 points (24-25—49) and 30 penalty minutes in 62 outings with the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars. Throughout four seasons in the AHL with the Stars, the fifth-year pro accumulated 80 goals, 56 assists and 92 penalty minutes in 183 appearances. The Brighton, Mich., native also represented Texas at the 2019-20 AHL All-Star Game.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound center has bagged five goals in 33 games in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars. L’Esperance last saw time in the NHL during the 2020-21 campaign when he totaled two goals and two penalty minutes in 12 contests.

Before making the move to the pro ranks, L’Esperance spent four seasons at Michigan Tech University and garnered 98 points (46-52—98) and 132 penalty minutes in 152 outings. He helped lead MTU to two consecutive Western Collegiate Hockey Association titles from 2016-18. The forward also spent parts of three seasons in the United States Hockey League, showing 37 goals and 30 helpers in 111 games.

Here ya go:

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed left wing Dominik Kubalik to a 2-year contract. pic.twitter.com/hvFUpe7nAt— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 13, 2022

Steve Yzerman bolsters the Red Wings up front with another signing: Dominik Kubalik signed a two-year contract worth $2.5 million AAV— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 13, 2022

David Perron, Dominik Kubalik signing 2-year deals with Detroit— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 13, 2022

They are placing bets today https://t.co/MUbQU2vVDZ— Bucci on Draft (@Buccigross) July 13, 2022