Red Wings Add Depth with Two-Way Forward
The Detroit Red Wings announced this week that they have signed 21-year-old forward Chase Stillman to a two-way contract worth $850,000. The deal, which can be toggled between the NHL and the AHL, is designed to give the club additional flexibility as it looks to plug gaps in its roster.
Stillman entered the league as the 29th overall selection in the 2021 draft, a pick that originally belonged to the New Jersey Devils. After a brief stint in the NHL proved inconclusive, he moved on to the Abbotsford Canucks, where he posted three goals and six assists in 24 games before a broken fibula sidelined him for much of the season. He later found a new home with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was part of a trade that also brought goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Steel City.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Proposition
Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings’ AHL affiliate, have seen a wave of forward departures, including Amadeus Lombardi and Eduards Tralmaks, leaving the team thin at the position. Stillman’s experience, highlighted by a 24-point rookie AHL season, is expected to provide a spark and help ease the burden on the club’s net-minders.
Coaches note that the move is as much about protecting the health of goaltenders Michal Postava and Trey Augustine as it is about adding depth. By offering a low-risk contract, the organization hopes Stillman can contribute offensively while also being ready to step in if injuries arise.