Red Wings Release Chiasson From PTO

Alex Chiasson’s hope to earn a second tour of duty with Detroit Red Wings ended Wednesday when he was released from his pro tryout contract.

Chiasson, 34, didn’t play last season. He had hip surgery in January.

“I wasn’t sure where my career was at,” the Quebec native said. “I thought maybe that was it for me. Hockey was hard physically, but just life in general. Life at home wasn’t much fun. So went through the process and ended up getting surgery in January. ”

He chose to tryout with the Red Wings because he liked the organization and people.  In 2022-23, he played for both the Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins. Chiasson scored six goals in 20 games for Detroit that season.

In the end, there really wasn’t room for the veteran Chiasson. Barring injuries, the roster is close to being set.

It’s unknown whether Chiasson will retire to try to catch on with another NHL team.

In another move, the Red Wings sent signed draft pick Emmitt Finnie back to the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League. At 19, he couldn’t be sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Finnie was a seventh-round pick in 2023.

The Red Wings still have 55 players on their training camp roster heading into Thursday’s game against the Maple Leafs at Little Caesars. The team still has 31 forwards, 16 defensemen and eight goaltenders.