The Detroit Red Wings got some business taken care of on Sunday as they signed right wing Evgeny Svechnikov to a one-year extension.
No terms were announced, but the team did release the news on social media in the afternoon.
The Red Wings wrote about the player after signing him:
Svechnikov, 23, completed his third full professional campaign in 2019-20, returning to the ice in October after missing the entire 2018-19 season due to a knee injury. In his first game back with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on Oct. 5, he registered three points (1-2-3). Svechnikov totaled 25 points (11-14-25) and 61 penalty minutes in 51 total games with Grand Rapids, placing sixth on the team in points. He also appeared in four games with the Red Wings and has notched four points (2-2-4) and 10 penalty minutes in 20 NHL games since debuting in 2016-17.
This is undoubtedly a make-or-break season coming up, a player who is no longer is exempt from waivers and must earn a spot on the NHL roster. “It’s going to be an important year. I just need a chance. I know I can play in this league. I know I have ability. I just need to get in there and establish myself and it’ll happen,” he said back in May.
Some may argue that Svechnikov hasn’t panned out as well as many in Detroit would have hoped while others will argue he hasn’t been provided much of a chance. The one-year deal will hopefully give the Red Wings a better indication of what kind of player they have.
And, if that’s not the plan, another thought is that Detroit may have signed him early in hopes they can find a European team to loan him to before Red Wings camp gets back underway in winter.
Red Wings Just Getting Business Started
Detroit has 11 more restricted free agents to deal with during their offseason. That includes, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne, Christoffer Ehn, Dmytro Timashov, Brendan Perlini, Madison Bowey, Taro Hirose, Dominic Turgeon and Kyle Wood.
While they aren’t busy playing hockey, they are a busy team in general with lots to do and changes to make.
Next: Predators Looking at Offseason Changes, What Moves Are Coming?
