4 Former Detroit Red Wings sign professional tryout contracts in hopes of saving their NHL careers

It appears that neither Adam Erne nor Tyler Motte was in the team's long-term plans.

As the season winds up, four former Red Wings players are pushing hard to get an NHL contract.

For these players, it begins with a professional tryout contract, as NHL teams have spent the majority of their cap space in July.

It is up to their willpower to justify "why" an NHL team should sign them to a long-term deal. If they do get signed, it may be league minimum, but it will give them a lifeline in the league before having to explore other countries to find work.

Tyler Motte is a 30-year-old NHL player who is likely in the twilight years of his career. Motte's career in Detroit was defined by his high-energy, checking game on the fourth line. He scored (4-5-9) points as a Red Wing, and his lack of production was a result of dealing with injuries during his time in Hockeytown.

He has signed a professional tryout with the Florida Panthers to revive his NHL career.

Adam Erne is a 30-year-old forward who played four seasons of his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings (2019 to 2023). Erne played a limited number of games in the league with the Edmonton Oilers (24). Soon after leaving Edmonton, he'd find himself as a career AHLer, suiting up for multiple clubs without hope for a return to the NHL.

Last season, he played 10 games for the Hartford Wolfpack and scored 1 point. He has recently signed a professional try-out in Dallas, with hopes to wow General Manager Jim Nill.

Cross Hanas, a 23-year-old forward, will be trying out for his hometown team, the Dallas Stars. He spent three seasons in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer from the Red Wings.

Hanas scored 26-24-50 in 146 games with the Griffins. Can the free agent make an impact with the Stars?

Luke Glendening is known for his skills in the face-off circle. Helping Tampa Bay maintain possession of the puck the last two seasons, he scored (4-3-7) in 77 games with the Lightning. Glendening played eight seasons in Detroit, followed by two years with the Stars.

The former Michigan captain could be a real problem solver for the Devils. He inked a professional tryout with Tom Fitzgerald and the team recently.