Detroit Red Wings Sign Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion, Trade Fabbri

The Detroit Red Wings had a quiet first day of free agency, signing goaltender Cam Talbot and defenseman Erik Gustafsson. However, day two would bring them the scorer they needed in the lineup in two-time Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko on a two-year deal for $9.5 million. In another move, they traded forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Gage Alexander.

The Detroit Red Wings are making moves to strengthen their roster

Detroit added a top-notch, top-six forward in Tarasenko that dramatically changes the top of the lineup. The top six now consists of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Tarasenko, and J.T. Compher, and that is better than that have had in year's past. Tarasenko also gives them a lethal weapon on the power play, which could leave teammates open if the opposition pays too much attention to him on the off wing.

Tarasenko was a first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Last season with the Florida Panthers, he recorded 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points in 76 games. Those totals brought his career numbers to 293 goals and 336 assists for 629 points in 751 games and is a career +74. He is a four-time all-star (2015, 2016, 2017, 2023) and he won two Stanely Cups (2019 with St. Louis and 2024 with Florida). He gives the Red Wings a potent scorer who could change the outlook of the forward lines and power play units.

Fabbri was a player who, when he was in the lineup, produced and got underneath the skin of the opposition. He was often injured and missed quite a few games during his tenure with Detroit. Although he is a gifted player, his injury history is what keeps him from being consistent in offensive production. In five years with Detroit, he had 66 goals and 61 assists for 127 points in 234 games. Those 234 games played are out of a possible 410 games. He is a good middle-six player who does contribute offensively and is above average on the power play. Might see a top-six role on a team looking for offense.

Alexander is a goaltending prospect that gives Detroit another goaltender to play important games in the future. he is 22 years old and played junior hockey for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-6 and 205-pound Alexander played the 2022-23 season with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League and Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL, combining for a record of 6-11-4, a save percentage of .881, and a goals-against-average of 3.60. Last season, he played for the Oilers and posted a record of 5-8-2 with a 3.75 GAA, and a .887 save percentage. He is likely going to be with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL next season. In Detroit, they have Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot. In Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, they have Sebastian Cossa and Jack Campbell. IN Toledo, the goaltending duo is Jan Bednar and Gage Alexander.

Is this the end of moves for Detroi? Likely not as they have a surplus of defenseman and goaltenders that could still be moved. General Manager Steve Yzerman still has pieces to trade away and who knows what else he has in store.