Red Wings Claimed Defenseman Andreas Englund
The Detroit team added the veteran defenseman to its roster after he was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Hockey
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The Detroit Red Wings successfully claimed 30-year-old defenseman Andreas Englund off waivers on Saturday. The move adds an experienced physical presence to the roster ahead of upcoming league requirements.
Why it matters
The Detroit Red Wings acquired Englund to bolster organizational depth as the team navigates early-season roster adjustments. His addition provides a veteran option on the blue line for the coaching staff.
Englund stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 200 pounds, bringing a physical style that has resulted in 190 penalty minutes over his 200-game career. He was originally selected 40th overall in the 2014 NHL draft.
The players
Andreas Englund
A 30-year-old NHL defenseman who has played for multiple teams including Ottawa and Calgary.
Detroit Red Wings
A professional ice hockey team based in Detroit that competes in the Atlantic Division of the NHL Eastern Conference.
Calgary Flames
A professional NHL hockey team based in Calgary that competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
The details
The Detroit Red Wings picked up Englund following his release from the Calgary Flames on Friday. This acquisition is part of a broader push to solidify the team depth chart before mandatory roster limits are enforced.
Timeline
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026: Calgary Flames placed Englund on waivers.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026: Detroit Red Wings claimed Englund off waivers.
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026: Deadline to trim roster to 23 players.
Season Trajectory
The acquisition of Englund reflects a strategic shift by the Red Wings to maintain a deeper defensive rotation during the 2026-27 season. This move impacts the team's internal competition for defensive slots ahead of the final roster reduction deadline.
Englund's addition provides the team with a reliable physical option who recorded 11 fights during the 2023-24 season. His $900,000 contract gives the organization financial flexibility as they balance the books against the team salary cap.
The takeaway
Englund brings significant veteran experience and physical intensity to a defensive unit in flux. The organization will need to weigh his defensive utility against the rest of the roster as they approach the final submission date.
What happens next
The Detroit Red Wings are required to trim their active roster to exactly 23 players by the 5 p.m. deadline on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest team updates, visit Hockey.
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