Detroit hopes Viktor Arvidsson’s offensive surge replaces Patrick Kane’s scoring punch, yet his arrival sparks fears of another short-lived veteran experiment similar to Vladimir Tarasenko’s disappointing tenure.
One of the Detroit Red Wings' offseason signings has some fans hoping history doesn't repeat itself, with one addition drawing comparisons to a similar bet that didn't pan out in Hockeytown as recently as last year.
With Patrick Kane's future in Detroit uncertain heading into the summer, the Red Wings went looking for a way to replace some of that scoring punch and landed on Viktor Arvidsson, signing the 33-year-old to a two-year, $10 million deal on July 1. Arvidsson is coming off a strong bounce-back season in Boston, posting 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points in 69 games, his best output since a 34-goal campaign with Nashville back in 2018-19.
That kind of rebound is exactly what has some fans drawing a parallel to Vladimir Tarasenko's brief stint in Detroit. Both players have had up-and-down stretches over the back half of their careers, and Arvidsson's big season in Boston mirrors, at least on paper, the kind of momentum Tarasenko carried into Detroit after his own strong run.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Arvidsson will get every opportunity to avoid a similar outcome. He's expected to slot into Detroit's middle six, either working alongside Alex DeBrincat if the lines shuffle or playing a complementary role on the third line with regular power-play time. He's been a productive even-strength scorer for most of his career, with 171 of his 219 career goals coming at five-on-five, an area where Detroit could use the help. There's also a personal element to the fit, as Arvidsson has said he grew up a Red Wings fan.
Whether the comparison to Tarasenko holds up will likely come down to health and fit as much as anything else. Arvidsson has dealt with his share of injuries over the years, but last season's 69-game showing in Boston suggests he may have found a more sustainable role.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
