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Detroit Red Wings: Top Five Offseason Signings
Detroit Red Wings: Top Five Offseason Signings
The Detroit Red Wings kept their streak of consecutive playoff appearances alive in 2013, but it wasn’t without a few bumps along the way. After seeing last summer’s free agent class - Mikael Samuelsson, Jordin Tootoo and Jonas Gustavsson - not really pan out, there was a lot of work to be done this summer. The Red Wings made a lot of noise on the first day of free agency, landing Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss. Expectations will once again be high in the Motor City, since the last time the Wings landed a free agent like this was Marian Hossa for the 2008-09 season that saw them reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
In addition to their work in free agency, the Red Wings were also able to work on new deals to keep some key young players around. Extensions for Pavel Datsyuk and Jimmy Howard during the season made for less work once summer rolled around, and so far everything has gone almost exactly the way team management wanted it to.
Dan Cleary and Damien Brunner will not be back, and Valtteri Filppula found a new home and a bigger payday with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The only contract yet to be completed is a new deal for forward Gustav Nyquist, which is expected to be finalized before training camp. The Wings will still need to trim two forwards from their roster before the season starts, with Tootoo being one possible player on the move. Here’s a look at the five best offseason signings the Red Wings have made.
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.
Daniel Alfredsson
The Red Wings made an immediate splash when free agency opened, signing former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. Alfredsson, much like Marian Hossa before him, has stated that he felt his best chance to win a Stanley Cup was in Detroit. The veteran winger had 10 goals and 26 points last season, and could be a great fit on the second line with Johan Franzen and Stephen Weiss.
Stephen Weiss
One of the Red Wings’ top free agent targets was former Florida Panthers’ center Stephen Weiss, and they were able to land him with a five-year, $24.5 million deal. They hope Weiss can replace and even exceed the scoring they lost by letting Valtteri Filppula walk in free agency. Weiss has scored 145 goals and has 394 points in 654 career games.
Brendan Smith
Young defenseman Brendan Smith has been one of the top prospects in the Red Wings organization since being drafted in the first round in 2007. He struggled in his rookie season with the Red Wings, managing only eight assists before adding two goals and five points in the playoffs. He still has potential to be an impact offensive defenseman, which is why the Red Wings signed him to a two-year extension that will pay $1.25 million next season and $1.275 million in 2014-15.
Jakub Kindl
Young defenseman Jakub Kindl had his best professional season in 2013, scoring four goals and adding 13 points while also finishing second on the team at plus-15. The Red Wings signed him to a four-year, $9.6 million contract at the end of June.
Joakim Andersson
Rookie Joakim Andersson proved to be a great addition to the Red Wings lineup in 2013. He wins face-offs, contributes on special teams and is a capable defensive forward. Andersson had three goals and five assists in 38 games last season, and earned a two-year deal for $1.465 million that was finalized on Tuesday.
