Van Riemsdyk has multiple ties with the Red Wings. He was skating with Justin Holl Tuesday in Minnesota when he accepted their offer. He also knows Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and some others.

"Blash may have mentioned that to me at world (championships) one year, it's a nice compliment to get from him," van Riemsdyk said. "Your odds are very good around the net if you want to score goals and be productive. That's a big part of my game. Just the nuance, timing and things like that. I just want to be anchored around the net."