Successful free agent signing by the Red Wings and Steve Yzerman: Their new leading goal-scorer
Photo credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
A free agent signed by the Detroit Red Wings and Steve Yzerman is turning out to be a great acquisition, as he now leads the team in goals.
After the very disappointing 5-1 loss in the home opener against the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Red Wings did all they could to erase that poor performance.
In fact, since that game, the team has been undefeated.
The Wings managed to win two straight games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and beat the Florida Panthers last night with a 4-1 score.
What's even more impressive is that the team has been able to beat the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions without their best player.
Indeed, Lucas Raymond wasn't on the ice, sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered in the game against the Maple Leafs.
The Wings' head coach decided to replace him on the top line with Mason Appleton, a player signed by Steve Yzerman in free agency this year.
It's safe to say that he made the most out of this opportunity.
Mason Appleton Capitalizes On Top Line Opportunity, Now Leads The Team In Goals
Since joining the NHL, Mason Appleton has never established himself as a top offensive producer, with his best tally being 36 points, including 14 goals, in 2023-24 with the Winnipeg Jets.
However, as of now, the player is leading the Red Wings in goals, with three.
After scoring the game-winning goal on Monday against the Leafs, on Wednesday, Appleton scored two goals, including the first of the game to open the scoring early in the second period, and an empty-netter.
In Detroit, Alex DeBrincat is leading the team in points, with six, but hasn't scored a goal yet. Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin both have five points but only two goals each.
The season is still early, and it would be surprising to see him stay on top of the Wings' scorers, especially with Lucas Raymond expected to return to the top line sooner rather than later.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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