A scant two years ago, Daniel Sprong was part of a high-scoring fourth line with the Detroit Red Wings.
Today, he appears to be out of NHL options.
During the 2023-24 season, Sprong was an 18-goal scorer for the Red Wings. He was arriving in town as a UFA after netting 21 goals for the Seattle Kraken during the 2022-23 campaign.
Hello, it’s Daniel Sprong! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/2gaaVuoc9z
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 19, 2024
Frequently teaming with Robby Fabbri and Joe Veleno on Detroit’s fourth line, that trio would combine for 48 goals.
None of the three is still with the Red Wings.
While being known for his powerful shot, Sprong was also gaining a reputation in NHL circles for uninspiring defensive play. That would ultimately lead to his departure from Detroit.
Last season, Sprong made three NHL stops – the Vancouver Canucks, back to the Kraken, and then to the New Jersey Devils. He scored just two goals and five assists in 30 NHL games. He would see action in 19 AHL games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, netting 11 goals.
Former Red Wings Player Unwanted As UFA
An unrestricted free agent for the third successive summer, this time around, Sprong isn’t locating any NHL suitors for his services. That being the case, he’s looking across to Europe. Specifically, to Russia’s KHL.
#KHL RUMOUR
Per @MikhailZislis report 👉 Avangard Omsk is interested in services of D Joseph Cecconi 🇺🇸 (Ontario Reign / AHL) & F Daniel Sprong 🇨🇦🇳🇱 (New Jersey Devils / NHL). CSKA Moscow wants to sign Sprong as well.
— KHL & EURO 🏒 TALK (@vorkywh24) July 13, 2025
According to published reports in Russia, Sprong is talking to both CSKA Moscow and Avangard Omsk. Both are considered to be among the elite clubs in that league.
Russian website Sport-Express is reporting that Avangard coach Guy Boucher is especially interested in adding Sprong to his roster. Boucher, you might remember, was the first coach to work for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman when he was GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Red Wings are among seven NHL stops made by the Amsterdam-born Sprong. If he’s going to the KHL, he’ll need to be acquiring the proper consent to play in Russia.