Detroit — Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman at the end of last season said improving defensively was a top priority heading into next year. He’s taken matters into his own hands a bit over the last two days, signing defensemen Ben Chiarot and Olli Maatta and adding Mark Pysyk on Thursday morning. But perhaps the most
Ben Chiarot, one of five players the Detroit Red Wings added on opening day of free agency, summed up the appeal: “Steve Yzerman builds good teams. I think everyone knows that.” Yzerman sent a message Wednesday when he signed Chiarot, Andrew Copp, David Perron, Dominik Kubalik and Olli Määttä: Expectations on the Wings have grown exponentially.
In addition to adding players slated for the Detroit Red Wings, general manager Steve Yzerman used free agency to add organizational depth. Defenseman Mark Pysyk, a veteran of 521 NHL games, was signed for one year, $850,000. Center Austin Czarnik received a two-year, $1.525 million contract and right wing Matt Luff was signed for a one year,