Detroit Red Wings Add Depth By Signing Eric Tangradi

With so many young, unproven prospects in its system, the Detroit Red Wings decided to add some veteran depth to their AHL roster by signing 26-year-old winger Eric Tangradi to a one-year deal. Tangradi is a big-bodied forward at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds and is likely being brought in to add depth to the AHL roster. Anthony Mantha (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) and Zach Nastasiuk (6-foot-2, 217 pounds) are close to Tangradi’s size, but both are younger players with completely different skill sets.

Tangradi spent the 2014-15 season with the Montreal Canadiens organization, playing 48 games with the AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs and seven with the Canadiens. In his time in the AHL, Tangradi recorded 31 points (17 goals, 17 assists) and 56 penalty minutes. The Anaheim Ducks drafted Tangradi in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Tangradi has appeared in 143 NHL games in his six-year professional career, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets and Canadiens. In those appearances, he recorded 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) and 86 penalty minutes. He was named to the 2011 AHL All-Star team after recording 33 points for the Wilkes-Barre Penguins.

Tangradi is described as a scrapper who can mix it up in the front of the net by screening goalies and being a general irritant to the opposing team. While he is physically imposing and brings a powerful style of play to an otherwise finesse group, Tangradi has the ability to be a plus-player if brought up to the NHL level. While he will most certainly start at the AHL level, Tangradi would be a prime candidate to be promoted to the Red Wings’ roster if big-bodied players like Justin Abdelkader or Johan Franzen are hit by the injury bug (which has been frequent in recent seasons). Tangradi might be able to give the Red Wings what Erik Cole wasn’t able to last season after the trade deadline.

Josh VanDyke covers the Detroit Red Wings for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter.