Breaking: The Detroit Red Wings’ problematic star player’s departure will bring a significant improvement to the team.

Last season, the Detroit Red Wings’ dismal power play made a big improvement, breaking into the top 10 (ninth) for the first time since 2014–15.

With the loss of 74 power-play points due to the injuries to Shayne Gostisbehere, David Perron, Daniel Sprong, Robby Fabbri, and Jake Walman, it will be difficult to avoid regressing.

Erik Gustafsson, Jonatan Berggren, Vladimir Tarasenko, and internal progress will all help make up for it.

Gustafsson, an eight-year NHL veteran with extensive travel, agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract on July 1 and will take Gostisbehere’s spot on one of the power-play units.

Although not as explosive offensively, he should improve defenses.

With two goals and 27 assists on the power play, Gostisbehere’s 29 power-play points were the highest for a Detroit defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom’s 32 in 2010–11.

Despite having only six career power-play goals—and none since 2019–20—Gustafsson, a lifelong Lidstrom supporter from Sweden, has racked up 32 assists when playing with the man advantage over the last four years.

Since I moved here (to the NHL), I have been a power play player, Gustafsson claimed. It’s both my game and something I enjoy doing. My preference is to run the puck and attempt to create lanes for the forwards to shoot. Playing on the power play, I feel really secure. Hopefully I’ll be able to secure a chance.

In order to supplement the right-shooting Moritz Seider on the other power-play unit, Gustafsson provides the team with a left-shot option at the point.

Gustafsson’s Chicago teammate for five seasons, including 2018–19, when he recorded a career-high 17 goals and 60 points, Patrick Kane, stated that the now 32-year-old was an important part of their power play.

“He really knows how to run the top, maybe as good as anyone I played with, and he was so deceptive up top,” Kane remarked. “(Adam) Fox of the New York Rangers is obviously special, and Mo (Seider) does an excellent job as well,”

“(Gustafsson) is an extremely talented hockey player. He’s great offensively, makes a lot of great passes and plays, and I know he’s been working really hard on his defensive game. He’s strong in that area, too,” Kane continued.

Steve Yzerman, the general manager, mentioned Gustafsson’s versatility as a right-side player, similar to Gostisbehere. It could lead the club to assign him to Olli Maatta.

“I’m not sure what the D-pairings will end up being,” Yzerman stated. “It’s up to Derek (coach Lalonde) to decide what I envision. These really mobility defensemen with puck talents are able to play on any side.

This is Gustafsson’s ninth NHL team, the Red Wings. He has a lot of experience with the free agency procedure.