Appleton has spent the last 3.5 season in Winnipeg, where he was an important part of their third line and penalty kill. He'll fill a similar role in Detroit and will try to help a Red Wings' PK that ranked last in the NHL last season (70.1%). Appleton doesn't bring a ton of offence with him, averaging 13 goals and 18 assists (31 points) per 82 games over the last two seasons.
The towering 6'8 Soderblom has shown glimpses of being an effective power-forward, something the Red Wings hope he can do more consistently in the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old Soderblom scored 11 points (4G / 7A) in 26 games with the Red Wings last season.
Detroit added to its minor league depth on Tuesday by signing John Leonard to a one-year, $775,000 contract. The 26-year-old winger finished in goals across the AHL with 36 and 61 points in 72 games played with Charlotte (AHL) in 2024-25. He should compete for a bottom-six spot on the Red Wings this season.
Entering his 17th NHL season, the Red Wings add more veteran experience by signing van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal worth $1 million. The 36-year-old American forward scored 36 points (16G / 20A) in 71 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He has 665 points (327G / 338A) in 1082 career games.
Bernard-Docker was the 26th-overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and spent his first five NHL seasons with the organization before being sent to the Buffalo Sabres before the trade deadline in 2024-25. He will join his third NHL team in the 2025-26 season, with the Red Wings on a one-year deal worth $875K. The 25-year-old defenseman has 24 points (6G / 18A) in 144 career games.
Kane returns to the Red Wings on a one-year deal that carries a $3.0M cap-hit in salary and $2.5M in potential bonuses. Kane has spent the last two seasons with the Red Wings, averaging 28 goals and 44 assists (71 points) per 82 games.
After playing only 12 games in 2023-24, Berggren played a career-high 75 games last season, tallying 24 points (12G / 12A). He receives a one-year contract extension worth $1.825 million after spending most of the previous campaign on Detroit's third line, averaging 12:59 time-on-ice.
Johansson made his NHL debut last season, scoring nine points (3G / 6A) in 61 games with the Red Wings, and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension worth $1.125 million AAV. The 24-year-old defenseman was the 60th overall pick of the Red Wings in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Lagesson provides nothing more than organization depth for the Red Wings. He spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, where he had three goals and six assists (nine points) in 23 games with Grand Rapids. He's got 107 career NHL games, including seven with the Red Wings last season, so Detroit will call on him in a pinch.
After a successful second campaign with Grand Rapids (AHL), Antti Tuomisto has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Detroit. The 24-year-old defenseman was Detroit's 2019 2nd-round pick (35th overall) and had three goals, 27 points and 54 PIMs in 67 games in 2024-25 with Grand Rapids (AHL).
Postava was an undrafted free agent out of the Czech Extraliga. The 23-year-old netminder was 23-18-0 with a. 2.39 GAA and .920 SV% in 42 games during the regular season and 10-7-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .940 SV% in the playoffs with Brno Kometa. Postava will likely report to Grand Rapids (AHL) to begin the 2025-26 season.
Kiiskinen was originally a third-round pick of the Predators but was acquired by the Red Wings in a trade last June. The 19-year-old winger spent the 2024-25 season in Finland, where he led HPK Hameenlinna with 44 points (14G / 30A) while playing just
Holl will slot back into the lineup for Detroit's regular season finale on Thursday. Jeff Petry will sit in his place.
The Red Wings previously suggested Alex Lyon and Petr Mrazek would split the final two games of the season, but instead it will be Cam Talbot between the pipes for their season finale on Thursday. Talbot secured the victory in his last start, stopping 24 of the 28 shots he faced in a 6-4 win over the Stars on Monday. The 37-year-old netminder owns a 21-19-4 record and a .902 SV% on the season. Detroit enters their season-finale on Thursday as +144 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team outscoring their opposition 13-4 during a four-game winning streak. 6:30 Warmups
Holl will sit out Detroit's penultimate game of the season on Wednesday. William Lagesson will play in his place.
Lagesson will draw back into Detroit's lineup for their penultimate game of the season on Wednesday. Justin Holl will sit in his place.
Sandin-Pellika was Detroit's 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The highly-regarded prospect has been reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and will make his professional North American debut. The 20-year-old defenseman scored 29 points (12G / 17A) in 46 games with Skelleftea AIK (SweHL) this season.
