Red Wings’ James van Riemsdyk and Others Still Seek NHL Opportunities

The whirlwind of NHL free agency has settled, leaving several noteworthy players still seeking their next opportunity on the open market. Among them are two former members of the Detroit Red Wings, who are looking for new teams as the 2025-26 season approaches.

The Red Wings were active during the free agency period, signing forward Viktor Arvidsson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov, along with a few minor-league depth players. However, the team also saw the departure of Patrick Kane, who returned to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Veteran forward James van Riemsdyk stands out as a significant name still available. He provided invaluable leadership in the Red Wings’ locker room last season, contributing 15 goals and 16 assists over 72 games. Notably, during a strong December, van Riemsdyk achieved a personal milestone by scoring in four consecutive games, part of a stretch where he found the back of the net in six of seven contests.

Drafted second overall in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, van Riemsdyk has had a storied career, including two stints with the Flyers, as well as time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. In 1,154 career NHL games, he has amassed 342 goals and 354 assists.

Joining van Riemsdyk on the list of unsigned players is veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic. Like his teammate, Hamonic was signed to a one-year contract by former Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman last offseason. In 26 games with Detroit, he recorded two assists and has a career total of 53 goals and 191 assists over 926 NHL games, having played for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.

Lastly, goaltender Cam Talbot remains without a deal after completing his second season in Detroit. After joining the team as a free agent in 2024, Talbot had a solid start to the season but eventually saw his playing time diminish. He wrapped up the season with a 12-9-6 record, a 3.19 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage. Talbot, who was never drafted into the NHL, began his career with the New York Rangers and has also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.