Detroit City Wire

Signing a two-year free-agent contract with the Detroit Red Wings was a strategic move for Mason Appleton, both professionally and personally. "When you go through the Free Agency process, you try to evaluate which teams you think you would fit right in," Appleton explained to DetroitRedWings.com. He expressed that Detroit felt like the right choice due to its proximity to his home state of Wisconsin and the team's potential.

Appleton spent the previous season with the Winnipeg Jets, scoring 22 points in 71 regular-season games and contributing seven assists during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Drafted by Winnipeg in 2015, he has accumulated 138 points over his NHL career with both the Jets and Seattle Kraken.

As he joins Detroit, Appleton aims to be a veteran presence for younger players. "I'm going to go about my work and hopefully, it's noticed," he said. He emphasized consistency as key to his growth over eight NHL seasons.

Appleton sees himself as a versatile player who can contribute offensively but is also relied upon defensively. His addition is expected to strengthen the Red Wings' lineup alongside other skilled players like Patrick Kane and John Gibson.

Reuniting with former teammates Andrew Copp and Ben Chiarot adds excitement for Appleton as he begins this new chapter. "Copper is a guy who I've been talking to a lot," Appleton noted.

Overall, Appleton believes in both himself and the Red Wings' potential for success next season. "Detroit is a team that had a lot of success for a really long time," he stated, expressing enthusiasm about helping lead them back into playoff contention.