Grading Detroit Red Wings' 2024 Off-Season Acquisitions

Weeks before the drop of the puck for exhibition games, the off-season for the Detroit Red Wings is over. With many transactions over the past two months, the team is guaranteed to look different this season.

Some key pieces have new homes for next season, while veterans were brought in to fill those voids. How do the additions grade? We find out below.

Vladimir Tarasenko

A veteran winger who brings scoring to a team that lasts some during the off-season. A proven scorer and Stanley Cup champion, he brings an offensive touch, leadership, and experience. Will bring a presence to the top-six and the power play units.

Maybe the most important piece added for the upcoming season. We now wait to see if he will play right or left wing and who he will be paired with, although he will slot somewhere in the top six. Tarasenko - A

Cam Talbot

After a mixed year with the Los Angeles Kings, goaltender Talbot is out to prove last season was not a fluke. Although he had his struggles, he was the lone representative for the Kings at the NHL All-Star game.

At his age, he can still steal games and give his team a chance to win, which he proved last season.

Given the recent play of Red Wings goaltenders, he could be that piece added that gets them over the hump. While not elite, he is an upgrade between the pipes to a position that needed one. Talbot - B

Erik Gustafsson

A talented two-way defenseman, Gustafsson had a solid season with the New York Rangers in 2023-24. He was a defenseman who could bring some scoring, but also take care of his end.

Detroit signed him in the off-season to provide offense from the blueline after losing Shayne Gostisbehere and Jake Walman. He will provide a scoring punch on the power play and be used in a top-four role. Gustafsson - A

Tyler Motte

A bottom-six player with a solid overall game, Motte is being brought in to solidify the penalty kill and bring a bit of scoring to the seventh -12th forward position.

While not offensively gifted, he can add scoring from time to time but still sticks to his defensive game. A player who provides depth at a good price. Motte - C

Jack Campbell

A goaltender who has seen better days, his game has dropped off a bit over the past few seasons. Looking to reinvent his game, he signed with Detroit in hopes of getting back to the NHL.

While he is not what he used to be, he could still be a useful piece later in the season and in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), Campbell- C

William Lagesson

A defenseman who is a depth piece and a defensive player first may spend most of the season with Grand Rapids with an occasional call-up.

A solid player who defends well, but lacks a true scoring touch. Good size along with a physical side. Not a bad depth piece, but there was more out there at the time. Lagesson - D

Conclusion

A busy off-season for Detroit saw them land many pieces to fill voids left by players who found new homes.

While not any of the signings took the league by storm, there were a couple of solid signings that made sense. Will these moves result in a playoff spot? Or will these moves come back to haunt them?