Ex-Red Wing returns after long-term injury absence

The Dallas Stars are receiving a major reinforcement of a former Detroit Red Wings forward thanks to a player getting healthy enough to return.

That is former Detroit Red Wings forward Adam Erne. Erne was placed on long-term injured reserve by the Dallas Stars in November. The team made it retroactive to November 11th, so as soon as he was healthy, he'd play.

He had been dealing with a lower-body injury.

As a result of his injury, he's seen limited ice time with the Stars, playing only 14 games this season as a bottom-six forward, scoring 3 points (2-1).

Erne has been bouncing around the league since he exited the Detroit Red Wings organization after the 2022-23 NHL season, where he played 61 games, scoring 18 points (8-10).

He'd play 9 games in the AHL, where, as a Griffins forward, he'd score 5 points (5 A). Erne would have to hustle to find a new opportunity in the NHL, where he'd sign with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent in October 2023.

The contract was a one-year, two-way deal that paid him the league minimum ($775K) average annual value. He wouldn't fare much better in Oil Country, playing 24 games and scoring 2 points (1-1) while playing the majority of his career with Edmonton's AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, 36 GP and 12 points (6-6).

He'd join the New York Rangers on a professional tryout and would have to settle for a PTO from the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack, where he'd suit up for 24 games.

He'd be released in November 2024 and wouldn't suit up for another team that was cash-strapped like the Dallas Stars, who gave him a PTO, which he turned into a one-year two-way contract.

This is another shot for Erne, who has played 393 games in the NHL, where he's scored 94 points (43-51). The former 33rd overall pick has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Can he capitalize upon his opportunity with the Dallas Stars this season?