Taro Hirose
Age: 25
Position: LW
2021 Stats
GP: 6
G: 0
A: 2
PTS: 2
Annual Cap Hit: $850,000 (21/22), AHL Salary $190,000 (21/22)
Taro Hirose signed a one-year extension to play in the Detroit organization. Since turning pro, Hirose has scored 55 points in 64 games at the AHL level and 16 points in 42 NHL games. Once again, expect Hirose to split his time between Detroit and Grand Rapids (AHL).
Calvin Pickard
Age: 29
Position: G
2021 Stats
GP: 6
Record: 2-1-1
GAA: 3.16
SV%: .874
Annual Cap Hit: $800,000 (21/22)
Calvin Pickard signed a one-year extension so that he could be a depth goaltender in the Detroit organization. A former 2nd round selection of Colorado in 2010, Pickard has played 236 games at the AHL level and 113 games in the NHL. Pickard will start the season in Grand Rapids and will once again be insurance for Detroit at the NHL level.
Kyle Criscuolo
Age: 29
Position: C
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
2021 Stats
GP: 37
G: 5
A: 22
PTS: 27
Annual Cap Hit: $750,000 (22/23), AHL Salary $170,000 (21/22), $190,000 (22/23)
Kyle Criscuolo signed for two years in order to stay in the Detroit organization. Criscuolo is the former captain at Harvard (NCAA) and has played parts of six AHL seasons including three with Grand Rapids. He has scored 138 points in 250 games at the AHL level. Criscuolo also played nine NHL games for Buffalo in 2017-18. Criscuolo will be a veteran presence for the young Griffins players in Grand Rapids (AHL).
Brian Lashoff
Age: 31
Position: LD
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
2021 Stats
GP: 13
G: 1
A: 2
PTS: 3
Annual Cap Hit: $750,000 (21/22)
Brian Lashoff has signed a one-year contract in order to remain with the Detroit organization. Lashoff has spent his entire career with Detroit and Grand Rapids (AHL). In 136 games at the NHL level, Lashoff has recorded 15 points. In Grand Rapids, Lashoff has played 513 games and scored 109 points. Last year, Lashoff was the captain of the Griffins and will mentor the young Grand Rapids defensemen next year.
Final Thoughts
Heading into the last few weeks of summer, Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman has pretty much filled out his roster for the upcoming season. He has added three players by trade, signed six UFA’s and re-signed eight players who played with the Detroit organization last season.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakub Vrana, Adam Erne, Givani Smith and Filip Hronek are the only remaining RFA’s that Detroit still has to sign.
Currently, Detroit has 18 NHL players under contract for the 2021-22 season.
According to capfriendly.com, Detroit has the lowest payroll in the NHL at just under $51,000,000. With more than $30,000,000 of cap space remaining, don’t be surprised to see Yzerman make more moves leading up to training camp in September.