Today at 5 PM ET is the deadline for NHL teams to sign draft picks who’ve used up their NCAA eligibility, and that means it’s Savage decision time for the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings made center Red Savage the 114th overall pick of the 2021 NHL entry draft. He was playing with the USNTDP in Plymouth, Michigan, at the time. The son of former NHL forward Brian Savage went on to play college hockey at Miami (Ohio) and Michigan State. He completed his final year of eligibility with the Spartans in 2024-25.

NEWS: The following 29 players will have their signing rights with their respective NHL clubs expire as of 5:00pm ET tomorrow (August 15) if they remain unsigned, per @PuckPedia.

Unsigned players will become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) for NHL clubs.#NHL pic.twitter.com/dfrQrgQERg

— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) August 14, 2025

Earlier in the offseason, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wasn’t ruling out getting Savage’s name on a contract.

“We’ve had some discussions on potentially Red remaining in the fold on some type of contract,” Yzerman said.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, it would appear that those talks didn’t come to fruition.

Harvard defenseman Kyle Aucoin, Detroit’s 156th overall selection in the 2019 draft, will also become a UFA. His NHL rights were dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2025 trade deadline.

Augustine Becomes Goalie Coach For Football Coach

Red Wings 2023 second-round draft pick Trey Augustine was succinct in explaining why he chose to eschew signing an NHL contract to return for his junior season at Michigan State. The two-time World Junior-winning netminder wants to add to his trophy case.

“There’s still something to prove there,” Augustine said. “I want to go back and win a national championship.”

the collab we didn’t know we needed@Coach_Smith x @MSU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/X8r1sXbTqy

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 13, 2025

He probably hadn’t counted on becoming a goalie coach to Spartans football coach Jonathan Smith, but you have to admit it’s a unique perk.

Earlier this week at Spartans football practice, Augustine was helping Smith suit up in goalie gear. Then he gave him a few pointers on positional play before Smith stepped in to face a shooter.

Consider Smith a quick study, or that Augustine may also have a future in coaching. His neophyte stopper made a blocker save on the first shot he faced.

Red Wings Pick Witnesses Comeback

For the first time in over 650 days, Nicklas Backstrom played in a competitive pro hockey game. The former Washington Capitals star dished out two assists as Brynas beat Timra 4-1 in an SHL preseason game on Thursday.

Getting a front-row seat for Backstrom’s comeback was Red Wings 2025 draftee Michal Svrcek. He suited up and played on the fourth line for Brynas. Interestingly, the second defense pairing for Brynas was former Red Wings Christian Djoos and Robert Hagg.

Eddie Genborg, also a 2025 Red Wings draftee, didn’t play for Timra.

Detroit Drafts Smart Tigers

Two Red Wings draftees play on defense for the Colorado College Tigers. They also star in the classroom.

Both Brady Cleveland (47th overall, 2023) and Fisher Scott (208th, 2024) were recently chosen to the NCHC All-Academic Team. The two rearguards were recognized as distinguished scholar athletes.