Longtime NHL veteran announces his departure from the Detroit Red Wings: A temporary stay
Photo credit: NHL.com
A longtime NHL veteran announced his departure from the Detroit Red Wings for the time being, providing a massive insight into his future in North America.
The Detroit Red Wings' blue line is definitely far from perfect at the moment. Steve Yzerman will need to make big moves if he wants to get a playoff-contending caliber defensive unit.
A member of his current blue line may already be departing, as a defenseman hinted at his departure from the organization in a massive summer decision.
Indeed, veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson is currently spending time with Djurgardens, where he played earlier in his career, at their official training camp.
Gustafsson leaves North America to take part in Djurgardens' official training camp
Gustafsson has a year left on his $2 million AAV contract, and this decision appears to be an insight into what's to come for him.
The 2025-26 season will be his 10th year in North America, and the facts that he went to the training camp, a year from being a free agent, in his home country of Sweden, suggests he could end up joining the team next year.
The team's director, Niklas Wikegard, was vocal about his intentions of trying to keep tabs on certain players who could consider joining the team in the coming years.
"When Djurgarden started ice training in earnest before the season, Detroit and World Cup defenseman Erik Gustafsson was there.
And of course Djurgarden hopes for a return.
We try to keep as close contact with them as possible, says sporting director Niklas Wikegard to Hockeynews."
And of course Djurgarden hopes for a return.
We try to keep as close contact with them as possible, says sporting director Niklas Wikegard to Hockeynews."
Last season, Gustafsson scored two goals and 16 assists in 60 games with the Wings, but appeared more confident when Todd McLellan became head coach.
GM Steve Yzerman opened up on Gustafsson's performances last season and his expectations ahead of the next one in an interview:
"Overall, I'm satisfied with what we got. Can he do more? Yeah. And I think I expect more of what Gus did in the second half than in the first half."
Stay tuned for further updates on Gustafsson and his fate with the Detroit Red Wings as he enters the final year of what could be his last NHL contract.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 553 ANSWERS Longtime NHL veteran announces his departure from the Detroit Red Wings: A temporary stay Do you think Erik Gustafsson will leave the NHL after the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 419 | 75.8 % |
| No | 134 | 24.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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