Red Wings kick off free agency with flurry of signings

DETROIT -- After the 2022 NHL Entry Draft ended last Friday, Detroit Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman said his free agency strategy would be to add players who could fill lineup holes on contracts that made sense.

And on the first day of 2022-23 free agency, Yzerman executed his plan with a flurry of signings that strengthened Detroit's lineup and depth for the foreseeable future.
The Red Wings officially signed center and Ann Arbor, Mich., native Andrew Copp, defenseman Ben Chiarot, left wingers Dominik Kubalik and David Perron, right winger Matt Luff, and center and Detroit native Austin Czarnik on Wednesday.
For Copp, signing with the NHL team he "was a huge fan of" growing up is very special.
"It's cool to be coming back home and trying to recreate the magic a little bit," Copp said after signing a five-year deal with Detroit. "Getting to play for your hometown team is really rare in this league. I'm just fortunate enough to be able to be one of those guys who gets to do it for a few years here, and enjoy being around friends and family the whole year instead of just a few months in the summer."

After setting career-highs last season in goals (21), assists (32), points (53) and average time on ice (19:11) in 72 games with the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, Copp is anxious to make his mark in Hockeytown.
"There's a lot of really good pieces here," Copp said. "And I think today, with a bunch of the additions, it's an exciting time. I'm just ready to take the team to the next level."
Copp is also thrilled to reunite with former Michigan Wolverines teammate (2014-15) and current Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
"He's always kind of hinted at getting me to come back home," Copp said about Larkin. "We've talked today and talked about the additions. I think both of us are really excited for where this team is headed. It's kind of funny being his captain at Michigan and now he'll be mine in Detroit. It's pretty cool."
After signing Copp, Detroit bolstered its defensive corps by agreeing to terms with the 31-year-old Chiarot on a four-year deal.
Chiarot played for both the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens in 2021-22, tallying a career-high 26 points (9-17-26) in 74 games.
In addition to playing with last season's Calder Memorial Trophy winner Moritz Seider, Chiarot is excited to showcase his physical style of play in Detroit.
"That's been my identity in the league since I came in - a guy who is hard to play against and makes life difficult for opposing forwards," Chiarot said. "That's what I've been since I came into the league and why I think the Red Wings are bringing me in."

Yzerman continued strengthening the Red Wings' lineup by signing the 34-year-old Perron to a two-year deal. Last season, the veteran forward recorded 27 goals and 30 assists in 67 games with the St. Louis Blues.
Perron said several teams were interested in him, but Detroit represented an opportunity he couldn't turn down.
"I had several options I was bouncing around in my head with my agent and my family and everyone," Perron said. "But I think the Red Wings are a team, and obviously with some of the signings today, I think they're ready to take the next step in their evolution as a team and I wanted to be part of that."

The Red Wings asserted themselves as one of the most active teams on the first day of free agency by also signing Kubalik, Czarnik and Luff.
The 26-year-old Kubalik, who agreed to a two-year deal with Detroit, tallied 32 points (15-17-32) in 78 games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Red Wings also signed Czarnik to a two-year contract and Luff to a one-year deal.
Last season, the 29-year-old Czarnik combined for seven points in 16 games with the New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken, while the 25-year-old Luff had three goals and three assists in 23 games with the Nashville Predators.