Red Wings sign Czech scoring phenom

This just in, the Detroit Red Wings have signed 22 year old left winger Jakub Rychlovský from Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.

Check it out:

Rychlovsky is the youngest player to ever win the Czech Extraliga’s scoring title, putting up 26 goals and 46 points in 51 games this past season. The 5'10, 180 lb winger is undrafted but drew the attention of NHL scouts due to his tremendous season in 2023-24. He's one of the most intriguing European free agents to sign in North America the past few seasons and has drawn comparisons to another former Red Wings European free agent signing: Tomas Nosek. While Nosek ultimately didn't work out in Detroit, he has had a stellar NHL career. If Rychlovsky can follow Nosek's path, Red Wings fans should consider themselves quite fortunate.

All indications are that Rychlovsky will be given an opportunity to crack the Red Wings' NHL roster at training camp in September, but some AHL seasoning with the Grand Rapids Griffins wouldn't be the worst thing for his development. After all, he hasn't played outside of Europe at all and he'll need to adjust to the smaller North American ice surface and the intricacies of the Red Wings' system. Because he's on a two-year deal, I could see the Red Wings taking a 'wait and see' approach with the young forward for this upcoming season. He'll likely be up against the likes of Jonatan Berggren, Marco Kasper and Elmer Soderblom as the young forward trying to earn a full-time roster spot with the Red Wings in training camp.

It's also worth noting that Rychlovsky will be a restricted free agent when his contract expires in 2025-26.