Red Wings Sign Holmstrom to Two-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have signed right wing Tomas Holmstrom to a two-year contract extension worth $3.75 million. The deal averages out to $1.875 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The signing is the second for the Red Wings in as many days, with Nicklas Lidstrom signing a one-year extension just days prior. In 68 games last season with the Red Wings, Holmstrom scored 25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points. He also added four goals and three assists for seven points in 12 playoff games. In 879 career NHL games, all with Detroit, he has 214 goals and 255 assists for 469 points. He has won four Stanley Cups with the team (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) and won an Olympic gold medal as member of Team Sweden in 2006. This is a great signing for the Red Wings, as Holmstrom has always been a fierce competitor in front of the net. He is, without a doubt, one of the best screeners in the league and drives opposing goalies crazy on a nightly basis. The only downside to Holmstrom's style of play is that he takes a lot of penalties in the offensive zone. He also plays with plenty of grit and is excellent on the power play. Plus, at $1.875 million per season, he is a pretty good deal for the type of player he is. His contract also gives the Red Wings a little extra salary cap space to continue to re-sign impending free agents and maybe add a depth player or two once free agency begins.