Bruce Fedyck – USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Red Wings had a pretty impressive day on Friday, as they were able to not only land former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, but also sign their top free agent target in center Stephen Weiss. The addition of Weiss immediately gives the Red Wings a replacement on the second line, filling the hole left by the departure of Valtteri Filppula to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Weiss scored one goal and had four points in 17 games for the Florida Panthers last season, while battling a wrist injury. The Red Wings signed him to a five-year deal worth $24.5 million, which will keep him in Detroit until he is 35 years old. He ends up being a cheaper and younger option than Vincent Lecavalier would have been, and if he can stay healthy and find his scoring form he will be a great addition to the Red Wings’ lineup. In more than 650 career games, Weiss has scored 145 goals and has 394 points. He has spent his entire career with the Panthers, and now makes the move from a team that finished at the bottom of the league to a perennial playoff contender.
The Red Wings had been targeting Weiss for awhile, the price was right, and they have once again proven they are still a top destination for free agents. It’s hard not to like this signing, with injuries being the only major concern. Signing Weiss and Alfredsson likely means that free agent forwards Dan Cleary and Damien Brunner will not be back in Detroit.
Jonathan Katje covers the Detroit Red Wings for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
