Detroit Red Wings sign 29-year old former Winnipeg Jets and Michigan State Spartans forward

The Detroit Red Wings and general manager Steve Yzerman have added another player to the roster, a day after signing James van Riemsdyk, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Ian Mitchell.

Arriving in Detroit is former Winnipeg Jets forward Mason Appleton, who has signed a 2-year contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $2.9 million.

Appleton will likely be playing in Detroit's bottom-6. Now that he's been officially signed, the Red Wings now have just over $12 million in available salary cap space for either more signings or a player acquisition via trade.

Taken with the 168th overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Appleton has connections to Michigan after having previously played in the NCAA with the Michigan State Spartans. He had 31 points (12G, 19A) in 35 games in 2016-17.

Appleton then played with both the Jets and their AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose for several years before being claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. During his time with the Moose, he represented them at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.

He lasted 49 games with the Kraken and had 17 points (6G, 11A) before being traded back to the Jets at the 2022 Trade Deadline.

This year, he had 22 points (10G, 12A) in 71 games.

Appleton has played in exactly 400 NHL games, and has 138 points (57G, 81A).