The Detroit Red Wings are reinforcing defence as free agency begins in the National Hockey League.
The transitioning Red Wings, coming off their worst season in a quarter century, turned to a two-time Stanley Cup champion for help on the blue line when they signed restricted free agent Trevor Daley on Saturday, the first day of NHL free agency. Daley signed a three-year contract worth over nine million dollars.
Daley has played 13 seasons in the NHL, the last two with the Penguins, winning the Stanley Cup both seasons. He scored five goals and had 37 penalty minutes during the regular season in 2016-17. He has also played for the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Wings also brought in defenceman Luke Witkowski. The western Michigan native spent most of his career in the minor leagues, and last season split time between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with Detroit.
Detroit is in a period of flux after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990. They are moving to Little Caesars Arena to start the 2017-18 season.