Jets Sign Derek Meech and Tanner Glass

The Winnipeg Jets announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed defenseman Derek Meech and left wing Tanner Glass to one-year contracts worth $700,000 and $750,000, respectively. For you trivia buffs out there, Meech is the first free agent signing for the new franchise and is also a native of Winnipeg. In 74 games last season with Grand Rapids of the AHL, Meech had 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points, while Glass appeared in 73 games with the Vancouver Canucks, scoring three goals and seven assists for 10 points and 72 penalty minutes. These aren't bad depth signings for the Jets. Meech will provide some offensive skill to the blueline, as well as some versatility to the team as a whole, as he can also play on the wing. Glass will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the checking lines for the Jets.

Red Wings Re-Sign Defenseman Derek Meech

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Derek Meech and signed him to a one-year contract worth $500,000. In 49 games last season with the Red Wings, he had two goals and four assists for six points. Not a bad depth signing for Detroit, as Meech has some offensive skill on the blueline and is also versatile in that he can also play on the wing. However, it's very likely that the Red Wings will trade him some time prior to the start of the 2010-11 season, as Meech has stated his dissatisfaction with being the seventh defenseman. He will be battling for the sixth defenseman spot at training camp with Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith, and Doug Janik, so there is a good chance Meech could be with a new team in the fall if he can't secure a full-time roster spot.

Report: Chelios to Re-Sign with Red Wings

According to TSN.ca and reports out of Detroit, defenseman Chris Chelios is expected to resign with the Detroit Red Wings for one year and make less than the $850,000 he made last season. It's reported the signing could be made official sometime next week. Chelios has played with the Red Wings since 1999 and has been an integral part of their defense since then. While he doesn't put up the numbers he used to, Chelios still brings plenty of experience, depth, and physical play to the Detroit's blueline as a top 4 defenseman despite being 46 years old. Chelios is solid proof that some NHL veterans can still thrive in the new, younger, and faster NHL.

In other Red Wings news, it is reported that defenseman Kyle Quincey is close to resigning a two year deal, while forward Darren McCarty is expected to be resigned to a one year, two-way contract. The signings of Chelios, Quincey, and McCarty would push the Red Wings over the salary cap and would likely have to make a trade to get below the cap. Young defenseman Derek Meech has been rumoured to be the player the Red Wings would likely trade to get below the salary cap.