Detroit Red Wings sign giant 6-foot-6 player to a professional tryout deal

Alex Chiasson's first stint with the Detroit Red Wings was short but impactful. After joining the team following the 2022-23 NHL trade deadline, Chiasson scored six goals in just 20 games for Detroit.

Now, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is giving him another chance to prove his worth. Chiasson, 33, will be attending training camp in Traverse City on a professional tryout (PTO) agreement.

Last season, Chiasson was out of professional hockey. He attended the Boston Bruins training camp on a PTO but didn't make the team. Prior to that, he started the 2022-23 season with Detroit's AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he tallied nine goals and 20 points in 29 games. His strong performance earned him an NHL contract and a late-season call-up to the Red Wings, where he shined on the power play, scoring five of his six goals with the man advantage.

While the odds are stacked against him as only about 20% of players on PTOs end up signing with the team, Chiasson is determined to prove he still has something left in the tank. Whether or not the Red Wings keep him, the camp offers him a chance to showcase his skills for other NHL teams.

The Red Wings are in need of goal scorers after losing 75 goals from last season's lineup. Chiasson, who has hit double digits in goals six times over his 11 NHL seasons, including a career-high 22 goals for the Edmonton Oilers in 2018-19, could be a valuable asset.