It appears as if Detroit native Austin Czarnik will get an opportunity to suit up for his hometown team as the Red Wings announced that they have recalled the winger from Grand Rapids of the AHL.
The 29-year-old signed with Detroit last summer after splitting last season between the Islanders and Kraken, inking a two-year deal worth the NHL minimum while guaranteeing him $450K in salary each year. This season, he has played exclusively in the minors so far and leads the Griffins in goals (five) while being tied for the lead in points (ten) through his first eight contests.
While Czarnik has bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL throughout his career, he has seen action at the top level in each of his first six full professional seasons with a good chance of making it seven now that he’s up with the Red Wings. Overall, he has 15 goals and 30 assists across 142 NHL contests.
Detroit had an open roster spot to work with even after converting winger Matt Luff’s promotion to a regular recall earlier this week so no corresponding move needed to be made to bring Czarnik up.