Sprong May Top the List of Remaining UFAS

Detroit Red Wings’ UFA Daniel Sprong might be the most desirable leftover from the NHL’s recent free agent spending spree.

Sprong is 27 and boasts 39 goals over the past two seasons, including his 18 for Detroit in 2023-24. It’s a strong production for a player who has averaged less than 12 minutes game for those two seasons.

Other notable UFAs still in the marketplace: Tyler Johnson (Chicago Blackhawks), Max Pacioretty (Washington), Ryan Suter (Dallas), Anthony DeAngelo (Carolina), James van Riemsdyk (Boston), plus former Red Wings Filip Zadina (San Jose), Dominik Kubalik (Ottawa), and Jakub Vrana (St. Louis)

AFP Analytics projected Sprong would secure a three-year deal worth $4 million per season, but here he sits without a deal a week after the rush for free agents began. But you can bet he will find work in the NHL.

The issue for Sprong may be that he has a reputation for a below average overall game.  He scored 21 goals in his final season Seattle, but he was also a healthy scratch at times. This past season, Sprong’s overall game also didn’t please coach Derek Lalonde.

But the Red Wings were pleased with his offensive production, particularly the fact he scored no matter what line he was assigned.

Yzerman said he may make another move. However, he needs to retain his $20 million in cap space to pay his four restricted free agents (Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Jonatan Berggren). Raymond and Seider likely will receive at least $17 million of that figure.

Veleno filed for arbitration, although a deal probably will be reached before a hearing.

Sprong got $2 million from Yzerman on a one-year deal last season. But the Red Wings don’t have the cap space to pay him even that much today.