What signing veteran wing Viktor Arvidsson means for Red Wings

Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What signing veteran wing Viktor Arvidsson means for Red Wings

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 3:38 PM ET

As the uncertainty about the future of captain Dylan Larkin continues to loom over the Detroit Red Wings, the club made a move to help clear up the direction of the team moving forward.

In an indication of remaining in win-now mode, executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman inked veteran winger Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year, five million deal, per Elliotte Friedman.

Signing Viktor Arvidsson signals a desire to avoid a rebuild for Detroit

With or without Larkin come fall, Arvidsson, 33, becomes a reliable asset in terms of improving Detroit's struggles at five-on-five and brings some necessary postseason experience for a group trying to get over the hump and avoid another spring collapse.

While Larkin requested to be traded soon after exit interviews, Yzerman has publicly acknowledged he will only meet the request if it serves the Red Wings - no offer to this point has persuaded Detroit to pull the trigger.

Viktor Arvidsson fits a need for the Red Wings

The Swedish-born Arvidsson comes to Detroit after spending one season in Boston. He enjoyed an uptick in scoring, tallying 25 goals and totaling 54 points in 69 games for the Bruins.

Viktor Arvidsson is heading to Detroit! pic.twitter.com/WYLDCzZX7u
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 1, 2026

Before being traded to Boston in July 2025, Arvidsson was wrapping up a being part of the Edmonton Oilers second consecutive loss in the Stanley Cup Final. Arvidsson only scored 15 goals with 27 points in 2024-25 for the Oilers, although he did add a pair of goals and seven points in 15 playoff games.

A 12-year NHL veteran, Arvidsson played his first seven seasons with the Nashville Predators and then three years with the Los Angeles Kings prior to signing with Edmonton during the summer of 2024.

Arvidsson has never been able to reach his early-career level of play again

Arvidsson's career-high in goals for a season is 34 in 2018-19 with Nashville. His single-season points best is 61 in, reached in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns.

Overall in 682 games, Arvidsson has 219 goals, 224 assists and 443 points as a collective +63. He was named an All-Star and received votes for the Lady Byng and the Frank J. Selke Trophy for his work throughout his breakout 2016-17 season.

Arvidsson is a nice start, but not enough on his own to catapult Detroit into an improved position based on the ever-changing landscape of an already brutal Eastern Conference. However, it's also possible Yzerman is planning to improve the roster enough that Larkin could reconsider staying with his hometown team.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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