- Viktor Arvidsson calls signing with Detroit “an easy decision” thanks to coach Todd McLellan
- The 33-year-old winger inked a two-year deal after a 25-goal season in Boston
- Read below for what Arvidsson said about the McLellan reunion and joining an Original Six club
Viktor Arvidsson didn’t need a long sales pitch to sign with the Detroit Red Wings.
The reunion with his old coach did most of the work.
Arvidsson was asked about landing in Detroit on a two-year free-agent deal, and he pointed straight at head coach Todd McLellan.
“I know Todd and I really liked playing under him,” Arvidsson said on his introductory Zoom call. “It was an easy decision. I’m happy to be a Red Wing, and it’s going to be fun.”
Watch Arvidsson meet the Detroit media for the first time:
McLellan coached Arvidsson in Los Angeles for parts of three seasons from 2021 to 2024. The winger scored 20 goals in 2021-22 and 26 the following year working in that system.
He’s coming off a strong run in Boston. Arvidsson put up 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 69 games last season and added two goals in four playoff contests. That was the sixth 20-goal year of his 12-season career.
Detroit signed him last Wednesday to a two-year contract that carries a $5 million cap hit.
Arvidsson explained what makes McLellan’s approach click for him.
“He’s really structured and always has a plan,” Arvidsson said. “It’s defense first and then if you play really good defense, you’re going to have success offensively. He’s honest and really straight up with all the players and everybody around the team.”
Here’s a look at what he brings to Hockeytown:
Detroit is the second Original Six franchise of his career, and the Kusmark, Sweden native grew up glued to the Red Wings.
“Growing up and watching the Red Wings and Avalanche go at it and all those players like Forsberg, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Yzerman and Kris Draper,” Arvidsson said. “Then talking to Drapes, I was almost like ‘I played as you on video games.’ It’s pretty surreal if you think about it.”
The Red Wings need the scoring. With Dylan Larkin’s future a talking point all summer, Arvidsson hands McLellan a proven finisher who already knows the system inside out.
He’s back with the coach who got the most out of him in L.A., and he’s chasing meaningful hockey in Detroit for the first time.
