Detroit Red Wings draft pick Red Savage woke up this morning with his new designation as an unrestricted free agent.

The Red Wings’ deadline to sign Savage passed Friday, putting him in a group of once-drafted college players who are now free to sign with any team.  Detroit officials chose not to offer Michigan State player Savage an NHL entry level deal. However, GM Steve Yzerman said earlier that he thought the Red Wings might offer him something.

The presumption was that would be a Grand Rapids Griffins contract. Savage has been a smart, hard-working player during his college career. He has been average scorer (28 goals in 125 games).

But now that he’s a UFA it makes sense for Savage to see if another NHL team might appreciate his abilities and his intangibles (he’s a natural leader) enough to offer him an ELC.

Bob Duff’s Friday story has a list of potential college UFAs.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Pavel Datsyuk has sweet memories of winning the Stanley Cup in his rookie season with Detroit.

GM Steve Yzerman’s Red Wings are trying to avoid becoming the fourth NHL franchise to miss the playoffs for 10 or more consecutive seasons.

Veteran free agent defenseman Travis Hamonic signed a one-year deal with Detroit for $1 million.

Red Wings Extra

Grayden Robertson-Palmer’s skating makes him an intriguing prospect. The Red Wings drafted him 204th two months ago in the 2025 NHL draft. Check out his coast-to-coast goal in a Moncton Wildcats scrimmage shown in this Red Wings Prospects’ X post.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: South Florida native Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles homered wearing cleats commemorating the Florida Panthers. 

Philadelphia: Injured Tyson Foerster expected to be ready to play at the start of the Flyers’ season. Philadelphia Flyers. 

San Jose: The Marc-Edouard Vlasic buyout caught him by surprise: “I thought I’d come back.” San Jose Sharks