NHL free agency: Detroit Red Wings sign Trevor Daley, Luke Witkowski
By Mike Rizzo
The Detroit Red Wings signed free agent defensemen Trevor Daley today. Daley is reportedly getting a three year contract with the Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings acted quickly today as they have already signed free agent Trevor Daley. Daley is reportedly getting three years totaling $9.5 million.
Daley already becomes the Red Wings’ best defenseman which granted isn’t saying much. Daley is 33-years old and is coming off back to back Stanley Cup wins with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Red Wings top three defensemen are now Daley, Danny DeKeyser and Mike Green. That’s still an average defensive unit, but it’s definitely better than last year.
Once again though Holland signs another veteran player instead of giving a young prospect a shot. The Red Wings have several decent defensive prospects who once again have to play in Grand Rapids.
I think most people like the signing of Trevor Daley, the big issue for me and I’m sure other people is that third year.
The Red Wings also made another small move today as they signed Luke Witkowski. Witkowski is a gritty, tough player who will protect players like Anthony Mantha.
It was in a fight with Witkowski that Mantha broke his finger back in March. The Red Wings clearly feel that none of their defensive prospects will be ready this year or even next year. It’s a two-year, $1.5 million deal for Witkowski.
It’s good to see, though, that they haven’t signed any free agent forwards….yet. Tyler Bertuzzi and Evgeny Svechnikov looked like they were ready to come up last year and proved it in the Calder Cup playoffs.
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This team is already better defensively today than it was last season. Again that’s not saying much. How do you feel about these moves? Do you agree with me that the Red Wings are better today than last season? I give them a B-.