It might come as a surprise to learn that the Detroit Red Wings aren’t ready to give up on Red Savage.

Generally, when NHL-drafted college players complete their senior season and remain unsigned, it’s often an indication that the team is moving on from the player. In the case of Savage, who was playing his senior season in 2024-25 for the Michigan State Spartans, the Red Wings still retain his rights. And they aren’t ready to give up on the notion of signing the forward.

Red Savage grew up around the game of hockey and his biggest mentor has been his dad, Brian, who played in the NHL for 12 years.

After sharing the ice with his brother at his dad’s alma mater, Miami (OH) for two seasons, Red knew that @MSU_Hockey was a place he could take his… pic.twitter.com/MeWsyBHWwe

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) February 7, 2025

“His rights expire Aug. 15,” Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said of the player they drafted 114th overall in 2021. “I think we’ve had some discussions. I haven’t got an update on it, but potentially looking at Red remaining in the fold on some type of contract.”

Yzerman admitted that this was more of a question for assistant GM Shawn Horcoff. Since one of the main duties fulfilled by Horcoff is serving as GM of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, putting two and two together, it would seem likely that Detroit is trying to get Savage to agree to terms on an AHL contract.

Red Wings Prospect Suffered Season-Ending Injury

A dislocated shoulder was cutting Savage’s senior season short. He suffered the season-ending injury on January 17, limiting him to 20 games. There was some speculation that Savage might seek a fifth season as an NCAA hardship case, but that never materialized.

The left-shot center finished with 5-6-11 totals in 20 games. Were he to turn down the Detroit offer, Savage could become a UFA on Aug. 15, as Yzerman noted.

Certainly, Savage, 22, can get sage advice on what his next step should be right within his own family. He’s the son of former NHL forward Brian Savage.

MSU captain Red Savage talks about why he chose Michigan State and how our strength program leads to the best player development anywhere in the world pic.twitter.com/5UTnz4Ur9q

— MSU Chief of Propaganda (@OdellBretthamJr) July 7, 2025

“I think my dad’s biggest role right now is just a supportive role,” Red Savage said. “He’s always there for me and he knows he’s not my coach. He knows once I go home, I like to leave hockey at the rink a lot. He knows when it’s time to be my dad and when it’s time to be my coach.

“He’s done an amazing job just being supportive and making sure I’m dialed in to what I want to be in the future. He’s been there to support me in any way he can while giving me some leeway to be coached by my actual coaches.”