The Detroit Red Wings signed Swedish defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a two-year deal worth $2 million per season after being unable to re-sign UFA Shayne Gostisbehere, who joined the Carolina Hurricanes.
Gustafsson, 32, played with the New York Rangers last season and is expected to contribute offensively, potentially scoring 30-35 points depending on his power play time. Despite his capabilities, it's unfair to expect Gustafsson to match Gostisbehere's 56-point season, which included 29 power-play points.
The Red Wings' defense will look different in 2024-25, with Jake Walman traded to San Jose and Gostisbehere leaving through free agency, resulting in 20 missing goals. The team will have nine defensemen at training camp: Gustafsson, Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta, Simon Edvinsson, Jeff Petry, Justin Holl, William Lagesson, and Albert Johansson. Seider, Petry, and Holl are the only right-shot defensemen. Edvinsson is likely to be in the second pairing with Petry.
With Gostisbehere gone, Seider will be the No. 1 power play point man, and Gustafsson may get a shot as the No. 2 point man. The Red Wings have about $3.5 million to sign one more forward after setting aside money to re-sign Lucas Raymond and Seider.
