Detroit Red Wings Extend William Wallinder

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defensive prospect William Wallinder to a two-year, two-way contract extension through the 2027-28 campaign. According to PuckPedia, it’s a two-year, $1.75MM ($875K AAV) agreement, paying Wallinder an NHL salary of $850K in year one, and $900K in year two.

Although he has yet to make his NHL debut, this contract all but guarantees that the Red Wings view Wallinder as an NHL piece for next season. Detroit would need to expose him to the waiver wire if he fails to make the opening night roster, and it’s highly unlikely that they would be willing to do so.

Wallinder, 23, was drafted with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, then in the second round. He made his way up through MODO Hockey’s pipeline in Sweden before playing a few years with the SHL’s Rögle BK. His final year in the SHL was the 2022-23 season, during which he scored seven goals and 26 points in 50 games, finishing with a +3 rating.

Since then, it’s been all AHL for Wallinder. Throughout the last three years, his offensive production has remained relatively consistent, averaging around two goals and 18 points in 64 games. He took a step forward defensively this season, though some of that could be attributed to the rest of his teammates on a dominant Griffins roster throughout the regular season.

It’s no secret that the Red Wings are entering a crossroads in their rebuild this offseason. Detroit already has two left-handed defensemen signed through next season, with the expectation that Simon Edvinsson, who is set to become a restricted free agent, will also be back. It’s unlikely that the Red Wings would rush Wallinder into a top-four spot right away, but he could battle with Albert Johansson for the last spot on the team’s bottom pairing.