Mike Green, a solid offensive defenseman who has spent his whole career with the Washington Capitals has announced he is signing with the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have missed on many big name free agents including Ryan Suter, Matt Niskanen and others in recent years, but have hit big with the biggest name in this year's class, Mike Green.
Green has been the top defenseman for the Washington Capitals as of the last couple of years, and has been a helpful offensive defenseman, and one of the two players that helps Ovechkin get his shots off according to TSN.
Green won't be a top pairing defenseman for the Red Wings, as that will continue to be Nick Kronwall and Johnathan Ericsson, however he will be a key second line defenseman paired likely with Danny Dekeyser as a desperately needed right-handed shooter.
Green, the best player in this year's class will be a significant improvement in the Red Wings back end in front of Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek. Green's deal is considered inexpensive, as he signed for six million a year for only three years.
If Green is able to stay healthy, this deal could signal the reload the Red Wings have been looking for could be over, and a return to the top of a division that is weak after Montreal and Tampa Bay could be imminent.
The Red Wings likely are not done making moves, however. The move puts Detroit at eight or nine NHL-ready defenseman for next season, and the Red Wings may look to move at least one, if not more than one defenseman through trade.
The Mike Green signing is arguably the biggest splash the Red Wings have made in years, and signing him to a three year deal is well worth the six million per year as Detroit finally found someone to fit their game who when healthy should perform well in Detroit, and has made Detroit, at least this year, a destination town.