Ciccarelli made his debut with the Detroit Red Wings on October 6, 1992, getting no points in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. On October 8, 1992, Ciccarelli earned his first goal as a Red Wing, scoring against Kelly Hrudey of the Los Angeles Kings in a 5-3 victory. Ciccarelli finished his first season with Detroit with 41 goals and 97 points, which were both the second highest totals on the team. Ciccarelli's 97 points were his highest since 1986-87, when he recorded 103 with the Minnesota North Stars. In the playoffs, Ciccarelli played his first game with the Red Wings on April 19, 1993, earning an assist in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ciccarelli scored his first playoff goal as a member of the Red Wings on April 27, 1993 against Felix Potvin in a 5-4 loss to the Maple Leafs. On April 29, 1993, Ciccarelli had a hat trick for the Red Wings in a 7-3 win over Toronto. Overall, Ciccarelli appeared in seven playoff games, scoring four goals and six points.