After a brief but productive stint in 2022-23, where he scored six goals in 20 games following the NHL trade deadline, Chiasson will be back on the ice in Traverse City for the team's training camp, this time on a professional tryout (PTO).
Chiasson, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound left winger, was out of pro hockey last season. He attended training camp with the Boston Bruins on a PTO but didn't make the team. In the previous season, he started on an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's top farm team, where he notched nine goals and 20 points in 29 games. Following several trade deadline deals that left the Red Wings short-handed, the team signed Chiasson to an NHL contract, and he quickly made an impact.
Chiasson's effectiveness with the Red Wings was particularly notable on the power play. Of his six goals and nine points, five and seven points came with the man advantage. His ability to contribute in this area makes him a potentially valuable asset, as Detroit needs goal-scoring options after losing 75 goals from last season's roster.
While earning a contract from a PTO is a longshot-historically, about 20% of players on PTOs sign with the team-Chiasson has a proven scoring touch, having hit double digits in goals six times over his 11 NHL seasons. His career-best performance came in 2018-19 with the Edmonton Oilers, scoring 22 goals.