Red Wings Have Expressed Interest In Eeli Tolvanen
Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on the DFO Rundown, the Red Wings have expressed interest in free agent forward Eeli Tolvanen, viewing him as an option to fill a role in their top-six.
The interest stems from a clear hole in the lineup.
Filling The Kane Void
Detroit's need for a top-six winger grew after Patrick Kane departed for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pagnotta reported the Red Wings are still on the hunt for another top-six winger, and with Kane presumably gone, Tolvanen is a logical replacement to help a team that has extended its playoff drought to a decade.
David Pagnotta: Re Red Wings: I know Eeli Tolvanen is one of the players that they've expressed interest in; there are others out there as well that they were exploring - DFO Rundown (7/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 24, 2026
Detroit already added even-strength scoring earlier in free agency by signing Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year deal, but adding Tolvanen would take that group over the top.
Why The Fit Works
Tolvanen remains one of the more surprising names still available more than three weeks into free agency.
He is arguably one of the top wingers left on the board and also one of the youngest options at 27, which would give Detroit added flexibility.
The Finnish forward posted 41, 35, and 36 points over the past three seasons in a limited role with Seattle, and with more talent around him in Detroit, there is a chance he could exceed those numbers.
Plenty of interest in winger Eeli Tolvanen, but nothing close at the moment. He continues to weigh out offers in the 4-5 year range.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2026
He is also an even-strength specialist, as 22 of his 36 points last season came at five-on-five, and 77 of his 92 career goals have come at even strength, exactly the kind of production the Red Wings need after finishing in the bottom third of the league in even-strength scoring.
He brings a physical element as well, having thrown at least 180 hits in each of the last three seasons, including 187 last year, which would have made him Detroit's most physical player in 2025-26.
Adding him to the top-six would also allow the Red Wings to shelter youngster Emmitt Finnie more than they could last season.
The Obstacles
There are reasons a deal has not come together yet.
Detroit is navigating a busy and complicated offseason, searching for a new general manager while managing an ongoing trade request from captain Dylan Larkin, a looming extension for Alex DeBrincat, and a new contract for defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
With no GM currently in place, it is unclear when the team will start making moves, and a new hire could potentially want to go in a different direction.
Money is not the issue, as Detroit has nearly $20 million in cap space, though that figure comes before signing Edvinsson or responding to any hypothetical offer sheet.
Tolvanen is unlikely to command a hefty payday at this stage, his previous cap hit was $3.475 million, so affordability would not be a problem for the Red Wings.
There is no suggestion that Tolvanen is the final piece for Detroit, and the team may be focused on making a bigger splash involving Larkin before addressing depth.
