Ryan Kuffner

After four years of dominating the collegiate ranks for Princeton University, Kuffner earned a two-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings in March when the club was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in swift fashion. This was a low-risk signing of an NCAA champion (2018) -- a guy who claimed second All-American and second All-Star team honors. Kuffner logged his first 10 NHL games in 2018-19, but he went minus-4 and failed to register a point. The 23-year-old prides himself on playing competitively, but after his humbling experience at the top level, he'll likely accept a clean slate with AHL Grand Rapids unless injuries ravage Detroit's more established forwards in training camp