A large percentage of unrestricted free agents sign the first couple of days the market is open, but several always remain available in August. The Detroit Red Wings have $12 million in cap space ...

And that mindset is a key component that van Riemsdyk aims to bring to the Detroit Red Wings, who signed the 36-year-old forward to a one-year free-agent contract on July 2, in the 2025-26 season.

The Red Wings receive a decent grade for their work in 2025 NHL Free Agency. Detroit’s signings all should make an impact at the NHL level, or have a realistic path toward doing so.

In free agency, the Red Wings signed forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, as well as defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. All three players can serve various roles in Detroit’s lineup.

He was then reacquired before the 2024-25 season, but was allowed to hit NHL Free Agency last summer, where he joined the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, Burakovsky is a bit of a reclamation project.

The Chicago Blackhawks should consider taking a flier on former Detroit RedWings forward Robby Fabbri in free agency.The post Ex-Red Wings Center Could Be Blackhawks’ Free Agency Gem appeared ...