Detroit Red Wings Sign 19-Year-Old Forward to ELC

The Detroit Red Wings had a tough season, failing to reach the playoffs for the ninth straight season. They will look to be active this offseason and add key pieces to make them better for the 2025-26 season. Today, they added a forward who could be a key part of their future. They signed forward Jesse Kiiskinen to a three-year entry-level contract. Kiiskinen was acquired from the Nashville Predators in the trade that saw Detroit send defenseman Andrew Gibson to Nashville. Kiiskinen, in 46 games with HPK in Liiga, recorded 44 points on 14 goals and 30 assists. In seven games with Finland in the World Juniors had seven points on six goals and an assist.

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Jesse Kiiskinen

The Predators drafted Kiiskinen with the 68th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 38 games with the Pelicans in Liiga in 2023-24, he had ten points on four goals and six assists. Kisskinen is a physical, hard forechecking winger who can score. He has a good set of hands and an effective shot. His ceiling is a middle-six forward; he just needs to find his consistency with his overall game. Look for him to likely start next season at Grand Rapids in the AHL.