Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings continue to add to the margins of their roster. The latest addition is winger Mason Appleton, who has signed a two-year, $5.8 million deal with Detroit.
Appleton has spent most of his eight-year career with the Jets, totaling 10 goals and 22 points in 71 games in a third-line role last season. He projects to play the same role for the Red Wings as a depth scorer who could also kill penalties. Detroit was lacking in both areas last season.
The Red Wings signed another bottom-six winger Tuesday in James van Riemsdyk, who scored 11 goals last season and could chip in on Detroit's second power play unit. They've also re-signed restricted free agent wingers Elmer Soderblom and Jonatan Berggen.
They still have a need for another top-six forward on the wing and a top-four defenseman if they intend to take a step forward next season and end their nine-year playoff drought.
Appleton, who also brings some size at 6'2, has 57 goals and 138 points over 400 NHL games. He starred at Michigan State from 2015-17.