As Expected, Red Wings Don’t Sign Dower Nilsson

Today was the deadline for the Detroit Red Wings to sign 2021 draft pick Liam Dower Nilsson to an NHL contract. As expected, that didn’t happen. The Swedish forward now becomes an NHL free agent.

Right-winger Dower Nilsson, 22, was chosen 134th overall in his draft year. He spent most of the past three seasons playing in Hockey Allsvenskan, the Swedish second division, the last two with Bjorkloven.

Dower Nilsson already seemed to be recognizing his fate. He recently was agreeing to terms on a one-year contract extension with Bjorkloven for the 2025-26 season.

NEWS: Detroit Red Wings' pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) C Liam Dower Nilsson has signed a one-year contract extension with Björklöven (Allsvenskan), beginning next season (2025-26).

Dower Nilsson's rights will officially expire on June 1, 2025.#NHL #LGRW

(📷: A. Asres) pic.twitter.com/uoTVstBiae

— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) April 19, 2025

“It was a pleasant surprise that he wanted to stay,” Bjorkloven GM Per Kentta said. “He had both offers and interest from the SHL and also the AHL, but he felt that another year in the Allsvenskan would be best for his development.”

The Red Wings evidently also won’t be extending a contract offer to 2021 draftee Red Savage. The center finished his senior year at Michigan State this season. Selected 114th overall, he’s the son of former NHL forward Brian Savage.

The same would hold true for forward Sam Stange (2020, 97th overall). He completed his NCAA eligibility this season playing for Nebraska-Omaha.

Detroit does still have until Aug. 15 before officially relinquishing NHL rights to Savage and Stange.

The Red Wings have four players signed from the eight selected in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson (sixth overall) has developed into a solid NHL regular. Goalie Sebastian Cossa (16th), defenseman Shai Buium (36th) and winger Carter Mazur (70th) all spent the majority of the past season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Both Cossa and Mazur show one NHL game on their respective resumes.

Red Wings Pick Changing Colleges

Defenseman Oscar Plandowski (155th 0verall) was another 2021 draftee the Red Wings were opting to walk away from. As a CHL player, Detroit’s rights to him were expiring in 2023.

Plandowski was playing for the New Brunswick Red Devils, a Canadian university powerhouse. However, he’s taking advantage of the new opportunity for CHL players to play NCAA hockey. Plandowski is transferring to New Hampshire.

Ex-Detroit Forward On Move

Turner Elson was a feel good story when the veteran AHL forward was recalled to play two games for the Red Wings late in the 2021-22 season. He’d been playing for the Griffins since the start of the 2017-18 season.

This offseason, Elson is changing teams in the Slovak Extraliga. He’s leaving HC Plzen and signing with HC Slovan Bratislava.

Repping The Wings On The Hardwood

You just never known where a Red Wings reference might be showing up. Such as at Russia’s VTB League basketball finals. Zenit St. Petersburg power forward Okaro White arrived for the series opener adorned in a Pavel Datsyuk Red Wings jersey.

Okaro White pulled up to Game 1 of the VTB League finals repping greatness — rocking a Pavel Datsyuk @DetroitRedWings jersey. Championship mindset, Detroit style 🐙❤️#RedWings #Detroit #NHL pic.twitter.com/03VsrCVUSx

— Zenit Basketball Club (@zenitbasket) May 27, 2025

White played in the NBA with the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ice Chips

Torpedo of the KHL has been completely scrubbed of any connection to the Red Wings. The club previously fired former Detroit star Igor Larionov as coach. Now the team cut loose 2015 Wings first round pick Evgeny Svechnikov and foward  Igor Larionov Jr . . . Former Red Wings defenseman Libor Sulak signed a new contract with Vladivostok of the KHL . . . Ex-Detroit center Dominic Turgeon signed a new pact with Kessel of the German Second Division . . . Another former Red Wings forward, Jan Mursak signed a new deal with EC-KAC  of Austria’s ICEHL . . . A trio of ex Wings are on the lookout for new homes after being released by their European clubs –  Chase Pearson (Villacher ICEHL/Austria), Matt Puempel ( Schwenninger DEL/Germany)) and Luke Witkowski (Skelleftea/SHL).