A reliable and flexible forward has landed a fresh contract. He has officially signed a new deal with the Detroit Red Wings, marking a steady, no-nonsense move by the team that signals their commitment to building a competitive roster.
The contract spans two years and is worth $5.8 million in total, giving Appleton a $2.9 million average annual cap hit. The deal runs through the end of the 2026-27 NHL season.
He Joins the Red Wings on a New Contract
At 29 years old, Appleton earns this significant contract as recognition for his consistent play. Hailing from Green Bay, Wisconsin, he was a sixth-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Throughout his NHL career, Appleton has suited up for only two organizations. He briefly joined the Seattle Kraken for 49 games during the 2021-22 season before being traded back to Winnipeg that same year. With 400 regular-season games and five playoff appearances under his belt, Appleton brings veteran experience. Last season, he posted 10 goals and 12 assists while averaging just under 15 minutes of ice time per game. He finished with a relative Corsi For percentage (CF% Rel) of -2.1, a figure not unusual for a player tasked with penalty-killing duties and defensive assignments.
Impact on the Red Wings
Detroit continues to bolster its forward group, and Appleton brings the kind of depth that could stabilize their middle six. Known for his defensive reliability, he’s the type of veteran presence that could help push the team toward its goal of becoming a playoff contender.
For Appleton, this contract represents an important step as he enters the next phase of his career. His ability to adapt to different roles within the lineup makes him a valuable asset. Now it’s up to him to show what he can bring to “Hockeytown” as the Red Wings look to finally break through — with expectations mounting.
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