The Detroit Red Wings continued their 2023 NHL free agency haul on Day 2 by signing another forward
Christian Fischer was brought in for one year at $1.125 million. He projects to be a depth guy who slots into the bottom six with the hope he will turn out to be a late bloomer.
Fischer’s signing comes the day after general manager Steve Yzerman signed forwards J.T. Compher and Daniel Sprong, defensemen Justin Holl and Shayne Gostisbehere, and goaltenders James Reimer and Alex Lyon.
Fischer, 26, scored 13 goals among 27 points last season with the Arizona Coyotes. His best season dates to 2017-18, when the former second round pick (No. 32, 2015) posted 15 goals and 33 points with the Coyotes. Fischer (6 feet 2, 212 pounds) adds size up front and gives the Wings yet another right-shot to plug into their lineup. Fischer has 56 goals, 111 points, and a minus-60 rating in 398 career NHL games, all with Arizona.
Who’s going to score? Red Wings add rash of free agents, but first day does not yield a goal scorer
The Wings’ depth chart of right-shot forwards has swelled to number Lucas Raymond, David Perron, Compher, Sprong and now Fischer.
Yzerman has been very active, with Fischer being the seventh free agent signed to an NHL contract this weekend by the Wings, but he has yet to address the scoring lost when Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana were traded at the deadline.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.