Detroit Red Wings all but stole these two hidden gems in free agency

The Detroit Red Wings' offseason is looking better than you might think over the first three games of the 2025-26 season. Will it keep up?
Oct 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings center Mason Appleton (22) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the bench in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings center Mason Appleton (22) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the bench in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images | Gerry Angus-Imagn Images

Cam Talbot helped bail out the Detroit Red Wings, but if James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton didn't pitch in with goals, the Wings would still be stuck with two points.

When Steve Yzerman signed van Riemsdyk and Appleton in July, we were thinking they would improve the penalty kill and pitch in as defense-first forwards. But that wasn't the case during Monday's win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, which saw van Riemsdyk score his first of the year before Appleton broke the tie late and won the game for Detroit.

It's ironic, considering that goaltender John Gibson was supposed to be the prize acquisition this offseason. But three games in, Gibson is left wondering what went wrong as he rides the bench while van Riemsdyk and Appleton are pitching in.

Now, it's still early, and anything can happen. Gibson can steal the show in his next start, while van Riemsdyk and Appleton could be relegated to their intended defensive forward roles. But it's not like the two forwards don't have offensive upside. 

James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton could give the Red Wings more upside than you think

Appleton has never been a surefire points producer, with his career high clocking in at 36 points and 14 goals in 2023-24 during his time with the Winnipeg Jets. That said, he also put up over 16 minutes of average total ice time that season, showing that he can be a top-six forward.

As for van Riemsdyk, he's still good for 35-40 points per season, even if he's logging third or fourth-line minutes. He's proven it over the past two years with the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets, when he logged a respective 13:30 and 12:24 of average total ice time in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Should van Riemsdyk and Appleton play even a solid game, they will give the Wings a deep lineup featuring a top nine that can score on anyone. Of course, the Wings must stay healthy to make this work, but should that be the case, they could transform into one of the league's most exciting teams, regardless if their efforts end up breaking their playoff drought.

As the season wears on, keep a close eye on van Riemsdyk and Appleton. They may not be highlight-reel scorers or even considered great players these days. But if they keep playing well in the clutch and at the same level they did in Monday's win over the Maple Leafs, then the Wings found two hidden gems.

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