The Detroit Red Wings came into the offseason with a clear objective: bolster the roster with veteran presence, but do it smartly. No splashy, long-term free-agent deals.
No cap-busting contracts. Just calculated moves that could support a young, fast-developing core without compromising the future.
And so far, GM Steve Yzerman’s plan is playing out just the way he drew it up.
The biggest swing came in net, where Yzerman traded for veteran goaltender John Gibson. At 32, Gibson isn’t a long-term commitment - his $6.4 million cap hit expires after this season - but he brings stability and experience to a position where Detroit needed both. It was a move that aligned perfectly with the team's short-term needs and long-term flexibility.
Beyond the crease, Yzerman didn’t chase stars. Instead, he zeroed in on value - dependable, experienced forwards who could slot into the lineup and do the little things right.
Enter Mason Appleton and James van Riemsdyk. Neither signing made national headlines, but both have delivered exactly what the Red Wings needed.
Mason Appleton: The Reliable Glue Guy
Appleton, 29, was never brought in to light up the scoreboard. He’s not that kind of player, and Detroit didn’t need him to be.
His best offensive season came back in 2023-24 with the Jets, when he posted 14 goals and 36 points. Last year, his production dipped in a crowded Winnipeg lineup, but the Red Wings saw something more important - a player who could bring structure, energy, and defensive responsibility to their bottom six.
That’s exactly what Appleton’s done. Through 34 games, he’s chipped in 11 points - modest numbers, sure, but his value goes well beyond the stat sheet.
He’s been a steady, hardworking presence, the kind of third-liner every team needs when the grind of the season sets in. And when injuries hit earlier in the year, Appleton even stepped up to fill a top-line role, showing he could be trusted in higher-leverage minutes.
At a $2.9 million cap hit, Appleton has proven to be a strong fit for a team that’s building something sustainable. He’s the type of player who might not make the highlight reel, but helps you win games in the trenches.
James van Riemsdyk: Veteran Scoring on a Budget
Then there’s James van Riemsdyk, the 36-year-old winger who’s now on his fourth team in four seasons. Once a top-line goal scorer, van Riemsdyk has transitioned into a depth role - and he’s doing it well.
Detroit picked him up on a one-year, $1 million deal, a classic low-risk, high-reward signing. And so far, the reward has been well worth it.
First and foremost, van Riemsdyk has stayed healthy - no small feat for a player with over 1,100 NHL games under his belt. He’s moved around the lineup, but has mostly settled into a bottom-six role where he’s provided something every contender craves: secondary scoring.
Through 35 games, van Riemsdyk has netted 11 goals - fourth on the team behind only Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin (tied with 23), and Lucas Raymond (14). That kind of production, at that price point, is a rare find in today’s NHL.
Scoring double-digit goals on a $1 million contract? That’s value you just don’t see often.
It’s the kind of performance that could easily lead to a contract extension if both sides see a fit moving forward. For now, though, it’s simply a win for Yzerman and the Red Wings.
Building Around the Core
Detroit’s young core - led by Larkin, DeBrincat, Raymond and others - is starting to come into its own. But every young team needs the right veterans around them.
Guys who know how to handle the ups and downs of an 82-game season. Guys who can chip in on the scoreboard without needing the spotlight.
Guys who, frankly, know how to be pros.
Appleton and van Riemsdyk have checked those boxes. They’ve brought balance to the lineup, helped stabilize the bottom six, and allowed the Red Wings’ young stars to shine without carrying the full load every night.
The challenge now for Yzerman? Finding more of them.
If the Red Wings want to take the next step - from promising to playoff-bound - they’ll need to keep threading that needle: adding veterans who bring value without blocking the path for the kids. So far, Appleton and van Riemsdyk are proving that it can be done.