Detroit Red Wings re-signs Darren Helm for four-years with an $8.5 million contract -NHL Update
Detroit Red Wings locked up one of their top centre players, Darren Helm, for the next four seasons with an $8.5 million contract signed by both stakeholders on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, squashing rumours that the 25-year-old was looking into take part in
negotiations with other teams around the National Hockey League (NHL).
Red Wings’ general manager, Ken Holland, made the official announcement.
"Darren is an important part of our team and we're very happy that we've reached an agreement," GM Holland, said. "He's one of the fastest skaters in the game and we love the physical element that he brings. He's an outstanding penalty killer and the ideal
third-line centre for us behind Pavel (Datsyuk) and Henrik (Zetterberg).”
Helm’s previous contract with the Detroit Red Wings was a two-year deal worth a total of $1.825 million. Seeing his new four-year signing with the team is certainly a huge boost from the one before as it carries with it an annual salary cap hit of $2.125
million.
Drafted as the 132nd overall pick during round-five of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit Red Wings, Helm is gearing up towards heading into his fifth straight season with the club.
The past three seasons have been a breakthrough for him as Darren Helm has been given vital time on the ice by playing a full season. He was limited to just 68 games this past season but still managed to put up 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists) in that timeframe.
"We really missed him when he was out of the line-up in March and April," GM Holland added.
This past season was filled with various injuries for the young defenseman as he underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his right arm after Game 1 against Nashville Predators, against whom Detroit Red Wings lost in five games.
He also sprained a medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a collision with another player during the regular season.
For next season, Detroit Red Wings are expecting Darren Helm to be healthy and ready to go as they focus on reorganising with the loss of captain Nicklas Lidstrom this year to retirement.
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