James van Riemsdyk: How he can fit in Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings forward James van Riemsdyk, July 2, 2025.
The Detroit Red Wings have signed Mason Appleton in free agency.
The Wings gave the 29-year-old former Michigan State hockey player two years at $2.9 million, a hefty price for a forward who topped out at 14 goals in one season in 2023-24 while a member of the high-octane Winnipeg Jets.
The deal comes the day after general manager Steve Yzerman signed veteran James van Riemsdyk for one year at $1 million. The biggest move made by the Wings over the past week was acquiring goaltender John Gibson in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks.
Appleton (6 feet 2, 194 pounds) had 10 goals in 71 games last season with the Jets. He has 57 goals and 138 points in 400 career NHL games.
Appleton played at Michigan State from 2015-17. A sixth-round pick (No. 168) of the Jets in 2015, Appleton has spent his NHL career with the Jets, save a single season (2021-22) with the Seattle Kraken.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
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