Detroit signs defensive forward Tyler Motte, making the veteran the fourth University of Michigan Wolverine on the Red Wings roster
July 1st has come and gone, but the Detroit Red Wings aren't done with their business for the summer, at least not quite yet. This evening, some 36 hours after the onset of the unrestricted free agent period, the Red Wings signed 29-year-old forward Tyler Motte, last of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Feb 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Motte (64) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson (3) go after the loose puck during the first period at Amalie Arena
© Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Motte put up just six goals and three assists in 69 games, but, a bit like the recently re-signed Christian Fischer, his impact is hardly measured on the scoresheet. Instead, like Fischer, Motte is a defensive specialist and valuable penalty killer. He provides a contrasting profile to the as-of-yet unsigned Daniel Sprong, who brought a sniper's mindset to Detroit's fourth line a year ago. Motte's signing clearly signals a desire to go in a different direction, in keeping with the season-ending message from Derek Lalonde and Steve Yzerman to commit to improved defense in 2024-25.
Motte spent three years at the University of Michigan on his way to the NHL, where he played alongside three of his new Red Wing teammates: Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, and JT Compher, all of whom played for the 2014-15 Wolverine team, which also featured Zach Werenski and Zach Hyman, who led the team with 22 goals and 54 points.
