Red Wings add talent, address needs to open 2023 NHL free agency

DETROIT -- By addressing several pressing needs over the first two days of 2023 NHL free agency, the Detroit Red Wings quickly bolstered a roster that made significant strides in the 2022-23 season.

On Saturday, the Red Wings signed eight new players, including defensemen Justin Holl, Brogan Rafferty and Shayne Gostisbehere, left wings J.T. Compher and Tim Gettinger, right wing Daniel Sprong and goalies Alex Lyon and James Reimer. Then on Sunday, Detroit agreed to terms with right wing Christian Fischer.

The 31-year-old Holl spent the past six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, recording 18 points (2-16-18) in 80 games last season.

"I think I can bring a two-way game," said Holl, who signed a three-year deal with Detroit. "I've been used more defensively in years past. I think that's probably where a lot of my value lies, but I think I can do things on both sides of the ice."

In addition to Holl, the Red Wings gained defensive depth by signing the 28-year-old Rafferty to a two-year, two-way contract and Gostisbehere to a one-year deal.

Rafferty played for the American Hockey League's Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022-23 and led the club's blueliners in goals (9), assists (42) and points (51) in 72 games.

As for Gostisbehere, he split last season between the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old recorded 10 goals and 21 assists in 52 games with the Coyotes before tallying 10 points in 23 games with the Hurricanes.

"I think the biggest thing for me, on a one-year deal, is that I need to have the right opportunity to show what I can do," Gostisbehere said. "I thought it [Detroit] was a great fit."

After Round 2 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said he wanted to add more offense to the Red Wings' lineup. Detroit did just that by inking four free-agent forwards over the weekend, highlighted by the signing of Compher to a five-year deal.

Compher earned 52 points (17-35-52) in 82 games last season with the Colorado Avalanche, adding two points in seven playoff contests.

According to the 28-year-old, he is "super excited" to join the Red Wings organization and to reunite with former University of Michigan teammates (2014-15) Andrew Copp and Detroit captain Dylan Larkin.

"There was a lot that attracted me to be a Red Wing," Compher said. "First off, playing at Michigan and growing up in Chicago were both things that have helped me see the great legacy and tradition the Red Wings have. I have a lot of respect for the organization."

The 26-year-old Sprong, who inked a one-year deal with the Detroit, set career highs in goals (21), assists (25), points (46) and games played (66) last season with the Seattle Kraken. He also chipped in two points in 10 postseason contests.

"I think the way I played last year on the power play and scoring 5-on-5, that's something I excelled at," Sprong said. "Defensive side as well, so I'm excited to bring that to Detroit."

Gettinger, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with Detroit, spent last season with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. The 25-year-old recorded 13 goals and 22 assists in 52 games.

Fischer, 27, recorded 13 goals and 14 assists in 80 games with the Coyotes last season, his highest points total since he set career highs in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33) as a rookie in 2017-18.

For Fischer, speaking with Detroit assistant coach Jay Varady - who coached in the Coyotes organization from 2018-22 - significantly influenced his decision to join the Red Wings.

"He reached out and we spoke for a good 10-20 minutes," Fischer said. "Something about that phone call really just resonated with me. It kind of felt like the right pick. After speaking to Jay and talking to Steve, I was really motivated, and it felt right. I feel like I can help this team win."

Detroit also expanded its goalie corps by agreeing to terms with Lyon on a two-year deal, and with Reimer to a one-year contract.

Fresh off a push to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with the Florida Panthers, Lyon posted a 9-4-2 record with a 2.82 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and one shutout in 15 regular-season games last season. The 30-year-old netminder also appeared in four playoff games, finishing with a 3.63 GAA and .888 SV%.

Last season, Reimer was 12-21-8 with a 3.48 GAA, .890 SV% and had three shutouts in 43 games for the San Jose Sharks. The 35-year-old veteran goaltender has played 475 games throughout his 13-year NHL career, compiling a record of 204-169-61 with a 2.87 GAA and .911 SV% for four different clubs (Maple Leafs, Sharks, Panthers and Hurricanes).

"There's lots of buzz and a certain excitement when you play in a big market," Reimer said. "For the last couple years, I've been in smaller markets, so there's something exciting about coming back to a traditional hockey market and an Original Six team - obviously a ton of history."

Red Wings sign Kostin, re-sign Luff and Lindstrom

Before free agency began Saturday, the Red Wings signed center Klim Kostin to a two-year contract. Detroit also re-signed right wing Matt Luff to a one-year, two-way deal and defenseman Gustav Lindstrom to a one-year contract. All three players were set to become unrestricted free agents.

Kostin, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, set career highs in goals (11), assists (10) and points (21) in 57 regular-season games for Edmonton in 2022-23. The 24-year-old also collected five points in 12 postseason games.

"He's big," Yzerman said about Kostin on Thursday. "He skated well, got more involved. He played on a pretty deep team there in Edmonton, so there's an opportunity for him to take on a bigger role. We felt like he showed he can play in the NHL as a regular."

Lindstrom, who was the Red Wings' 38th overall pick in the 2017 Draft, earned eight points in 36 games for Detroit last season.

Luff played 28 games with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins last season, finishing with 25 points on eight goals and 17 assists. He also added four points (2-2-4) in 19 contests with Detroit.