Ruslan Salei Signs With Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings continued their long-running trend of trying to get the most value out of veteran players with Monday’s signing of Ruslan Salei. The 35-year-old defenseman will be joining Detroit’s top-six, which will also include Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart, and Jonathan Ericsson.
Detroit is reported to be spending $750,000 on the one-year deal for the Belarusian national with the possibility of another $350,000 in performance bonuses. The 13-year NHL veteran spent the previous two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, where the latter part of his tenure was heavily marred with injuries. Last season, Salei suffered a back injury early in the season which limited him to playing a mere 14 regular season games and a single playoff appearance.
Salei was one of three possible blue line targets that the Red Wings were interested in signing, along with Willie Mitchell and Lukas Krajicek. Salei’s addition means the Red Wings will not be pursuing either of the two.
Salei will now be playing with veteran centre Mike Modano, another one of Detroit’s offseason acquisitions, and the pair has shared some tense history. In 1999, while Salei was playing for the Anaheim Ducks and Modano was on the Dallas Stars, Salei hit Modano from behind and into the boards. Modano suffered a concussion and a broken nose and the League suspended Salei for 10 games.
Salei also has some history with Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. Babcock was Salei’s coach from 2002-04 in Anaheim, when the team was still known as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. His signing is a win-win situation for both parties as Babcock is aware of Salei’s capabilities as a player and will be able to utilize him in a manner, which in turn will allow Salei to play at the highest level his aging physique will allow.
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