Former Red Wings Forward Gets Major Payday

In his only season with the Detroit Red Wings, forward Dominik Kubalik was a 20-goal scorer. He’s scoring big again on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

This time he’s using that ability to fill the net with pucks to be filling up his bank account.

Kubalik was recently agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with EV Zug of the Swiss National League. It’s worth $1.8 million Swiss Francs. That translates into $2.418 million US dollars. It’s made Kubalik the highest-paid player in European hockey. As well, it’s the richest contract ever agreed to in the Swiss League.

Dominik Kubalík 🚨🚨

2.⭐ zápasu a #LGRW 5. výhra v radě 👀pic.twitter.com/tNPkLort3v

— Matěj Hejda (@matej_hejda33) February 17, 2023

While it’s certainly not a major payday in comparison to NHL salaries, it’s vital to remember that Kubalik is Czech. In Switzerland, foreign players aren’t paying taxes on their salary. That will earn him an additional 30% during the course of the pact.

Last season with Ambri-Piotta, Kubalik was the leading sniper in the Swiss National League, netting 27 goals. At the end of this deal, he’ll only be 31, so it leaves one last window for a potential return to the NHL.

Former Red Wings Defenseman Heading Home

Robert Hagg toiled for 12 seasons in North America, nine of which were spent in the NHL. That includes a 38-game stint with the Red Wings during the 2022-23 season.

Now, the Swedish defenseman is deciding that it’s time to go home.

“Yes, the decision has been made,” Hagg told Swedish website Expressen. “It will be fun to come home to Sweden after all these years here.”

Looks like AHL-Henderson LHD Robert Hagg is returning to Sweden to play in the SHL in 2025-26.

Per @69Abris in Stockholm, it's a one-year deal with
Brynäs IF.

Hagg, 30, had 7G-22A in 57GP this year & 345 NHL GP & 306 AHL GP in his pro career.@InsideAHLHockey #AHLFreeAgency25

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) May 17, 2025

This past season, Hagg played just two games for the Vegas Golden Knights. The majority of his campaign was spent with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights.

While he wouldn’t confirm his Swedish destination, published reports in Sweden are that Hagg will be signing with Brynas of the SHL.

Fetisov Goes Off On Rant

Red Wings Hall of Famer Viacheslav Fetisov unleashed his fury against Russian TV networks that are broadcasting the IIHF World Championship. Russia has been banned from international hockey tournaments since 2022 after invading Ukraine.

“I’ve been talking about this for three years now,” Fetisov told Russian website RIA Novoski. “Why are we doing this and for whom? We were kicked out of there (the World Championship) like dogs, and we still broadcast these matches.

“This is definitely not for me.”

A deputy of the Russia State Duma, Fetisov insists that any viewing of the world tourney is a slap in the face to Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

“This is a betrayal,” Fetisov said. “Because the guys (at SVO) are fighting for our future, and we are watching the national teams of these countries.”

As a player, Fetisov won seven world titles and two Olympic gold medals for his homeland. He was a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Red Wings.

Ex-Red Wings Prospect Gets Coaching Gig

Finland’s Jokerit was hiring a one time Red Wings draftee to coach the club. However, it’s not the one you might be thinking it would be.

Valtteri Filppula, who won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2007-08, was recently announcing his retirement after finishing his career back with Jokerit, his long-time Finnish club.

When Jokerit was revealing a revamping of the club’s coaching staff earlier this week, Filppula didn’t figure into the equation, though. The new coach is Tomek Valtonen.

A left-winger, Valtonen was the 56th overall selection by Detroit in the 1998 NHL enty draft. Though he’d never sign with the Red Wings, Valtonen did play one season with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers before returning to Finland.