Tom McCollum is returning to the Red Wings, as the team acquired him from the Calgary Flames for a conditional 2018 7th round pick.

McCollum was drafted in the first round by the Red Wings in 2008 with the 30th overall pick. He spent eight years in the organization, mostly in the AHL, with three games with the Wings to his name. The Wings let him go to free agency in 2016, where he had a pro tryout with the Los Angeles Kings, signed with the Flames to play for the Stockton Heat, was demoted to the ECHL, and then was loaned to the Charlotte Checkers. So, McCollum made good use of his air miles.

McCollum returns to the Wings in a situation most likely to replace Jake Patterson, who the Wings decided not to qualify. While there were probably better goalies on the market, I’d imagine Holland decided to go with a familiar face instead.

The conditions on the 7th round pick have yet to be revealed. However, it will probably involve a games played threshold.