Detroit Red Wings nearing a deal with Mike Green

The Detroit Red Wings were trying to move Mike Green at the trade deadline. Now they are close to a deal that will keep him in Detroit for up to two seasons.

Mike Green was supposed to be dealt at the trade deadline. At least that is what every expert said. Surely a 32-year-old defenseman with a right shot and power play quarterbacking ability was going to find a new home at the trade deadline. Not only did the Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland not trade Green at the deadline, but reports surfaced on May 31 that the Red Wings might re-sign the aging defender to a multi-year contract before free agency opens on July first.

June 13th Holland’s two-fisted strategy for the player came to light. According to Craig Custance of the Athletic Detroit, The Red Wings had two offers on the table for Green. The first was a one year deal at a certain price. The second was a two-year deal, but it was at a slightly more team friendly AAV. A shrewd move by the much-maligned Wings GM.

Ansar Khan of mlive.com is reporting that Green has decided on the multi-year offer. This is good news and bad news for Red Wings fans. The smaller salary cap hit allows the Wings a little more room to breathe in that regard. The contract may be more difficult to move at the trade deadline this year with an additional season remaining on it. The Red Wings will announce the terms Sunday at the latest as that is when NHL free agency opens.

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Green is one of the better options available for a rebuilding team that needs to hold on to some semblance of veteran leadership. The Red Wings do not have a replacement in place, as their prospect pool is pretty shallow. If Green performs better this season than last, then his trade value may actually increase. The second season does offer a potential partner cost certainty for the following season. For cap-strapped teams that might actually make Green worth more.