Red Wings Notebook: Kubalik Signs in Switzerland; Staal Calls it a Day

In his search of a new team, former Detroit Red Wings forward Dominik Kubalik is returning to an old haunt.

Kubalik is joining Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League. That’s the same club he was departing from five years ago to join the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s a one-year deal with an out clause that expires December 15. That would free Kubalik to leave were he to receive an offer from an NHL team prior to that date.

Kubalik previously played with Ambri-Piotta from 2017-19. After joining the Blackhawks, he was a 30-goal scorer his first NHL season. Signing with the Red Wings in 2022, he’d score 20 goals for Detroit in 2022-23, his one season with the club.

Sent to the Ottawa Senators as part of the deal for Alex DeBrincat in the summer of 2023, Kubalik would score a career-low 11 goals for the Sens. They were opting not to tender the UFA a new contract.

Former Red Wings Staal Calling It Quits

A Red Wings defenseman from 2020-22, Marc Staal is returning to the club where he spent his first 13 NHL seasons. Announcing his retirement as a player on Thursday, Staal is joining the New York Rangers in a player development role.

After 1,136 NHL games, Marc Staal has decided to hang up the skates. ⛸️

Congratulations on your retirement! pic.twitter.com/kJ3p1R4V2V

— NHL (@NHL) September 5, 2024

Staal would suit up for 127 games with Detroit, contributing 6-20-26 totals. He spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers. Staal played 1,136 NHL games.

Buchelnikov Off To Fast Start

The KHL regular season is underway and already, Red Wings prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov is on the board. However, his new team wasn’t quite as fortunate.

Buchelnikov, chosen 52nd overall by the Red Wings in the 2022 NHL entry draft, scored a goal in his KHL debut for Vityaz. With almost no room to shoot at, Buchelnikov ripped a high wrist shot into the roof of the Admiral net from a sharp angle.

SNIPE! Dmitry Buchelnikov is perfectly accurate. pic.twitter.com/X97HQxI5ke

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 4, 2024

Unfortunately, Vityaz lost their season opener 3-2 to Admiral. Among the goal scorers for Admiral was former Detroit defenseman Libor Sulak. Buchelnikov would finish with a goal and an assist. He was the selection as the game’s second star.

Buchelnikov played last season with Admiral on loan from SKA St. Petersburg. In the offseason, SKA would trade Buchelnikov for another ex-Red Wings player, forward Dmytro Timashov.

Former Red Wings On Shelf

Two former Red Wings who are now big stars in Sweden could both be starting the SHL season on the sideline.

Brynas defenseman Christian Djoos is out 4-6 weeks due to a lower-body injury. Lulea forward Mathias Brome will be undergoing an MRI on Friday to determine the seriousness of a undisclosed injury he suffered.

Djoos played for Detroit in 2020-21. His father Par Djoos also was a Red Wings defenseman during the 1990-91 season.

Brome was also with the Wings in 2020-21. Lulea officials are hopeful that his injury isn’t of a serious nature and Brome might be available for their season opener.