One pending free agent the Red Wings can steal from their Atlantic Division rivals

Colin White, Forward/Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens had perhaps the lowest variety of pending unrestricted free agents among teams in the Atlantic Division, so this one is more about signing for organizational depth. Colin White is one of those journeymen who can provide such depth for a year or two, especially when some current prospects start moving up. 

He’s got just a little over 315 games of NHL experience since he debuted in 2016-17, and the 2018-19 season remains the high-water mark of his career. White spent that season with the Ottawa Senators, logging 41 points and 14 goals in 71 games, and five goals on the man advantage. He landed in Montreal on waivers in February 2024, but he has zero points in 13 games with the team and just 9:24 of average total ice time. 

Ideally, a player like White would be someone for Detroit to place onto their AHL team, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and let him be a leader. He has enough experience and even modest success in the NHL to where he could play on the fourth line if injuries struck the Red Wings. 

Overall, White won’t score, but he can be physical these days and he will get the occasional stick on the puck. If by any chance he became a full-time NHLer again, he would be a defense-first player.