The Detroit Red Wings have reportedly signed Darren Helm to a five-year deal at $3.85 million per year, according to Ansar Khan. The total contract according to Cap Friendly is $19.25 million over the five years.
Helm was drafted by the Red Wings in 2005 by the Red Wings in the fifth round (132nd overall). He’s spent his entire career with Detroit notching 162 points (72g-90a) in 443 regular season games.
While he’s not the most offensively dominant player in the Red Wings lineup, his speed and determination create plays off the rush for his linemates. He has the ability to kill penalties and adds a bit of an offensive side to their penalty kill – having scored nine shorthanded goals.
In 82 career playoff games, he’s added 21 points (11g-10a) and he won a Stanley Cup with the Wings in 2008. Helm is the first major signing of the NHL free agent day.
Prior to joining the Red Wings, Helm had a great junior career with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
Helm is an important role player for the Red Wings and has succeeded in his job with the team as a significant third liner. While, this certainly won’t be the biggest signing of the day, it’s a good spot to start for the Wings who cleared up significant cap space when they traded away Pavel Datsyuk’s contract.
Related: Darren Helm, Drew Miller Get Contract Offers From Wings
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