DETROIT >> The Red Wings were searching for offense last summer on the free-agent market after several costly defections, and felt Vladimir Tarasenko could offset the lost goal-scoring.

At age 33, the Wings understood this wasn’t the 40-goal scorer of earlier in his career, or the Tarasenko that scored a minimum of 33 goals for five consecutive seasons. But Tarasenko was coming off 23-goal season with Ottawa and Florida, and was part of a Stanley Cup-winning team in Florida.

There was optimism Tarasenko — who signed a two-year contract worth $9.5 million ($4.75 annual average value) — basically could replace what David Perron provided the Wings (24- and 17-goal seasons), another veteran winger with championship pedigree.

It turned out, no, Tarasenko couldn’t, and didn’t, replace the offense. Tarasenko scored 11 goals and had 33 points, his worst NHL season, while never truly getting on track the entire season.

Both Derek Lalonde and Todd McLellan tried different linemates, bigger and smaller roles, prodding and loosening the reins.

Nothing worked.

Which led many analysts to wonder if the Wings would be interested in buying out Tarasenko’s second and year and cut ties.

But general manager Steve Yzerman, at his season-ending media conference last month, appeared ready to bring Tarasenko back.

Yzerman indicated Tarasenko might have been affected by the lack of offensive production.

“His play was better probably than his production, what we’d expect from him as a goal-scorer,” Yzerman said. “I would say he was frustrated not being able to produce and that affected his attitude and affected his play. But overall, you try to reassure him that you’re doing a lot of good things out there, and don’t let the missed chances or the inability to score affect your play.

“I’m hopeful and expecting him to give us more than he did this year because I know he can.”

Tarasenko’s season started slowly under Lalonde, but there was a brief uptick when McLellan replaced Lalonde on Dec. 26. But, eventually the inability to finish scoring opportunities and costly turnovers leading to opponents’ goals became common again.

McLellan addressed Tarasenko’s struggles in April, after a couple of defensive miscues hurt the Wings.

“Vladdy’s role here, he came to us as a player we wanted to count on, looking for offense from him, obviously” McLellan said. “Is he a 40-goal scorer? No, he’s not a 40-goal scorer. Vladdy knows that. But I know he’s more than a 10-goal scorer, and we need or needed to get that out of him.

“There’s been some frustrating moments with Vladdy, but there’s also been some good moments. If you’re not scoring, you have to be good in those other areas. \

“He and the other 18 guys that put on the jersey and skate have to contribute. If you’re not scoring, you have to be real solid on the other end.”

If the Wings were to buy out Tarasenko — the buyout period begins June 15, or 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final series ends, whichever comes later — it would cost the organization $1.583 million against the salary cap the next two years.

The Wings have over $21 million in salary cap space this summer, thanks to the cap jumping to $95.5 million.

Of the Wings’ unrestricted free agents, only Patrick Kane is expected to be brought back. Restricted free agents Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom and Albert Johansson will re-sign, with modest increases.

Buying Tarasenko out would give the Wings a bit more space to explore the free-agent market for an elite goal-scorer.

But it might be prudent, given the cost, to simply see if Tarasenko can rebound and get back closer to what has been his career norm.

Wings sign Kiiskinen

The Wings announced Tuesday they have signed right wing Jesse Kiiskinen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Wings acquired Kiiskinen and a 2024 second-round draft pick last year from Nashville, in exchange for defenseman Andrew Gibson. Nashville had selected Kiiskinen in 2023, in the third round.

Kiiskinen (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) had 30 assists and 44 points in 46 games for HPK, in Finland’s pro league.

The 44 points are the most for an under-20 Finnish player in the league since NHL stars Aleksander Barkov (48 in 2012-13) and Sebastian Aho (45, 2015-16).