Free Agent Profile: Daniel Sprong

After the first week of NHL free agency, the first wave of top-tier free agents is long gone. The list of available players now consists of aging players, unqualified restricted free agents, and fringe NHL prospects. Because of his offensive impact and talent level, one free agent in particular, Daniel Sprong, stands out above the rest.

Sprong is a 27-year-old right winger from Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was selected in the second round, 46th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015. His shot has always been a core part of his game, and at just 6’4″ and 180 pounds, he possesses an elite shot.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Sprong as a free agent to a one-year, $2 million contract last season and he certainly earned his salary. His 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games are impressive considering he only averaged 12 minutes per game. After the Red Wings signed Patrick Kane mid-season, the forward was mostly relegated to a fourth-line role.

Daniel Sprong

Career Summary

Sprong impressed the Penguins as soon as they drafted him and played 18 NHL games the following season. He only played two and a half seasons in Pittsburgh, appearing in 42 games.

He then joined the Anaheim Ducks midway through the 2018-19 season and scored 14 goals in 47 games, a 24-goal pace over a full season. Considering he averaged just over 13 minutes per game, that’s a quality secondary goal in the Ducks’ bottom-of-the-table.

He only managed to make the Anaheim roster for eight games the following season.

The Washington Capitals took a chance on Sprong in 2020-21, and he scored 13 goals in 42 games. That’s a 25-goal pace over a full season in less than 12 minutes per game, proving once again that he can score in limited ice time.

Washington kept Sprong for part of the season and the forward’s production declined somewhat. He scored eight goals in 47 games.

Sprong was traded to the expansion Seattle Kraken during the 2021-22 season and has returned to form, scoring six goals in 16 games. That’s a pace of 30 goals in nearly 14 minutes of ice time, showing a correlation between higher production and more minutes played.

The following season, the Kraken used Sprong in a power-play role on the fourth line, and he responded with the highest points total of his career. The Dutch winger recorded 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games, including six goals and 14 points on the power play.

The Red Wings hit hard last season and Sprong posted similar totals. 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games showed his 2022-23 season was no fluke.

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Sprong’s skills

Sprong’s main asset is obvious: he has one of the best shots in the league and isn’t afraid to use it. There’s also a playmaking aspect to his game: when the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone, he or his teammates get quality shots.

With those qualities, it’s no surprise he ranks in the 80th percentile on the power play. Sprong has only had the opportunity to play on the second unit, but he’s still found a way to produce on the man advantage.

His comparisons across the NHL are particularly impressive, as the chart above shows. Since stats on similar players are based on success rates, what Sprong does in minutes compares to some of the most talented scorers in the league.

His former teammate Patrick Kane is the closest comparison, based solely on offense. Both players have poor defensive stats, but make up for it by being an elite offensive threat on the ice. Brock Boeser, Andrei Kuzmenko, Vladimir Tarasenko and Cole Caufield have similar profiles.

These players are highly touted by their respective teams, which raises the question of whether Sprong should be. He has averaged 20 goals in 12 minutes per game throughout his NHL career. In theory, adding three more minutes of ice time per night could push his total to a respectable 25 goals and 55 points. Add to that five more goals and 15 points in a leading power-play role.

Reputation

So why has Daniel Sprong played all over the league, despite showing signs of untapped potential? It’s a question that’s been asked by every team that’s acquired him.

He has never spent two full seasons with a single NHL team and has played for five franchises in nine seasons. The Dutchman exudes a certain self-confidence that can sometimes irritate people. He doesn’t fit in well with teams, including those with a strong leadership group.

Pittsburgh had Crosby setting the tone, Anaheim had Ryan Getzlaf as captain and Washington had Ovechkin. Seattle had a more inclusive committee approach and Detroit had Dylan Larkin. Sprong failed to become a vital part of either locker room to warrant a long-term contract.

In 2023, there was also an off-ice issue, as Sprong was accused of assaulting IndyCar driver Zachary Claman DeMelo at a nightclub.

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Sprong Contract

There’s no doubt that an NHL team is going to sign Daniel Sprong. He’s the most notable free agent at this point in the free agency period and one of the few players left with unique offensive attributes.

Teams don’t trust him enough to make him a top-six mainstay, but he’s shown he can produce in limited time. That ability to boost secondary scoring and provide depth is valuable and should earn him another deal in the short term.

According to Evolving-Hockey’s contract projections, Sprong will likely sign a three-year deal worth $3.378 million. Given his recent contract history, it’s much more likely he’ll sign a one- or two-year deal.

Evolving-Hockey is offering a one-year, $1.799 million contract and a two-year, $2.729 million average annual value contract. Both match his most recent one-year, $2 million contract signed with the Red Wings last season.

Potential destinations

If you’re wondering if Sprong would be a free agent fit for the Buffalo Sabres, the answer is yes, on the ice he probably would be. The Sabres have been looking for a top-six player, and he’s a top-six scorer stuck in a bottom-of-the-line role. He could be a solid fallback option assuming they can’t find a trade that makes sense.

Trusting him for top-six minutes could be risky, but the versatile Jason Zucker could rotate Sprong on and off the second line if necessary. Head coach Lindy Ruff could also condense his minutes based on game situations, playing him more when the team is down and less when it’s protecting a lead.

As for other potential destinations for Sprong, a place like Utah comes to mind. The league’s new ownership group has been aggressive in adding top-tier players, proving they want to compete. Sprong can bring his scoring touch to the bottom six of a team looking to find its identity.

The Montreal Canadiens could also use a secondary scoring boost, with right wings Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson starting to age. The Tampa Bay Lightning are also an interesting option, as they are always looking for cheap forwards who add dynamic pieces to the group.

It’s unlikely he’ll return to Detroit, as the Red Wings appear willing to give Jonatan Berggren a full-time NHL chance. The teams that are contenders for the top team are all strapped for cash, and the teams at the back of the pack don’t want to block the development of their best young players.

The market for Sprong is limited, but he is arguably the best free agent forward left. With all the uncertainty he brings as a locker room player, one thing is for sure: he will score you 20 goals.