Detroit Red Wings adds top defenseman Ian White, agree to a two-year, $5.75 million deal –NHL Update
Detroit Red Wings signed one of the top prospective defenseman to enter the 2011 National Hockey League's (NHL) free agency, Ian White, to a two-year, $5.75 million contract on Saturday, which filled a defensive gap, a much needed move since veteran defenseman,
Brian Rafalski, retired last season.
White performed on a huge level for San Jose Sharks during its last playoff run at the Stanley Cup which ended at the Western Conference Finals as it was defeated by Vancouver Canucks.
San Jose was unable to complete a negotiation with White, which forced him to enter the free agency after spending only a single season with the club.
Nevertheless, Detroit is happy to have him.
"Ian is a skilled defenceman, who makes tape-to-tape passes and competes hard with a good hockey sense", Red Wings' general manager, Ken Holland, said on Saturday, the second day of NHL free agency. "He can play on point on power play and gives us a right-handed
shot".
Drafted in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by Toronto Maple Leafs as the 191st overall pick during round-six, he played with his original draft team for five seasons until being shifted to Calgary Flames for the next two.
Following that he spent a year with Carolina Hurricanes and same with San Jose.
Last season was his second straight 10 point, 2 goals and eight assists, season in only 23 games played, and could have easily potted much more, had he played the whole time.
Detroit, on the other hand, feels good about acquiring White to strengthen its defensive end.
"Now that we have White, we feel really good about our depth on defense", Holland said.
A day earlier on Friday, Detroit also acquired defenseman, Mike Commodore, who was unable to renegotiate with St. Louis Blues after playing with the franchise for three consecutive seasons.
Ian White is set to play more games than in any previous season of his nine-season career, of which he made the playoffs with San Jose for the first time and contributed nine points, 1 goal and 8 assists.
Detroit knows he can play under pressure and specifically wants to use him for that.
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