Compher signs 5-year, $25.5 million contract with Red Wings

J.T. Compher signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $5.1 million.

The 28-year-old forward had an NHL career-high 52 points (17 goals, 35 assists) in 82 regular-season games for the Colorado Avalanche last season, and two points (one goal, one assist) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"Growing up in Chicago and playing at Michigan helped me see the great legacy and traditions that the Red Wings have as an organization," Compher said. "I know they are really trying to build something great and it is going to be a great place to play for the next few years."

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Selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. 35) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Compher has 194 points (88 goals, 106 assists) in 423 regular-season games for the Avalanche and 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 70 playoff games.

"He's 28, he's a good athlete and he has remained healthy for several years in the League," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said Monday. "He has several friends on our team who work out together, so we know what kind of shape he keeps himself in, which makes us more comfortable with the term. He's a right-shot centerman, which was a need, but he's also versatile, which we like."

Compher won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.

"I've seen it from both sides," Compher said. "My first year in Colorado, we were the [last] team in the League, and we ended up winning the Stanley Cup. I know how much building that took, and it isn't easy, because only one team gets to lift the Cup. I'm excited to be a part of that process again in Detroit."

The Red Wings on Saturday also signed Klim Kostin a two-year contract ($2 million AAV) and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to a one-year, $4.125 million contract.

Kostin, a 24-year-old forward who was traded to the Red Wings by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, set NHL career highs in goals (11), assists (10) and points (21) in 57 regular-season games last season and had five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 playoff games. He could have become a restricted free agent Saturday.

"Kostin is a big guy (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) who skates well, and it looks like he took a step in Edmonton this year and has a chance to maybe get a bigger opportunity in Detroit," Yzerman said Thursday.

Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 31) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Kostin has 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 103 regular-season games for the Oilers and Blues.

Kostin was traded with forward Kailer Yamamoto to Detroit for future considerations. There were reports Friday that Yamamoto had been put on unconditional waivers for the purposes of buying out the final season of his contract. Yamamoto signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken on Sunday.

Gostisbehere, a 30-year-old defenseman, had 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 75 regular-season games for the Carolina Hurricanes and Arizona Coyotes last season. He had three assists in 15 playoff games for Carolina.

"We needed some right D and we wanted a defenseman who can contribute on the power play, and Shayne certainly fills those roles," Yzerman said. "He's a left shot, but 50 percent of his 5-on-5 usage was on the right side, so he's very comfortable in that role."

Justin Holl was signed to a three-year, $10.2 million contract. It has an average annual value of $3.4 million. The 31-year-old defenseman had 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 80 regular-season games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season and one assist in six playoff games.

Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (No. 54) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Holl has 82 points (11 goals, 71 assists) in 285 regular-season games for the Maple Leafs and three assists in 25 playoff games.

Daniel Sprong signed a one-year, $2 million contract. The 26-year-old forward had 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 66 games and two points (one goal, one assist) in 10 playoff games for the Kraken last season. Sprong has 116 points (67 goals, 49 assists) in 268 regular-season games for the Kraken, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Last year in Seattle, we had a deep team, and I was able to help on the power play and score at 5 on 5," Sprong said. "I think that's something I've added to my game and I'm excited to bring it to Detroit."

James Reimer signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract Saturday. The 35-year-old goalie was 12-21-8 with a 3.48 goals-against average, .890 save percentage and three shutouts in 43 games (41 starts) for the San Jose Sharks last season.

Selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round (No. 99) of the 2006 NHL Draft, Reimer is 204-169-61 with a 2.87 GAA, .911 save percentage and 28 shutouts in 476 regular-season games (438 starts) for the Sharks, Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Maple Leafs, and 5-5 with a 2.70 GAA and .925 save percentage in 11 playoff games (10 starts).

The Red Wings also signed Gustav Lindstrom to a one-year, $950,000 contract. The 24-year-old defenseman had eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 36 games. Selected by Detroit in the second round (No. 38) of the 2017 draft, Lindstrom has 25 points (two goals, 23 assists) in 128 NHL games.

Christian Fischer signed a one-year, $1.125 million contract with the Red Wings on Sunday. The 26-year-old forward had 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 80 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. Selected by the Coyotes in the second round (No. 32) of the 2015 draft, Fischer has 111 points (56 goals, 55 assists) in 398 NHL games.

Filip Zadina was placed on waivers by the Red Wings on Monday. The 23-year-old forward had one season left on three-year, $5.475 million contract he signed Aug. 26, 2022.

The No. 6 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Zadina had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 30 games last season after an NHL career-high 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 74 games in 2021-22. He missed about three months with a lower-body injury sustained when he was hit on the right leg by a shot with 5:19 left in the third period of a 3-0 win against the New York Islanders on Nov. 5.

"A couple weeks before the (2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft), Fil's agent said he would like to move somewhere else and get a fresh start," Yzerman said. "I tried to accommodate that with a trade, but couldn't find anything, so he's now on waivers.

"If he clears waivers, he will remain a part of the organization with two years left on his contract. He'll go to camp with a chance to win a job. I'm not happy about putting him on waivers, because we signed him to a contract because we liked his game, and I still believe he can have a good career."

Detroit (35-37-10) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

"You have to get a lot done on July 1 and 2, but there are always players and deals still out there after the 2nd," Yzerman said. "I don't have anything planned right now, but we're always looking for ways to get better."

NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest and independent correspondent Dave Hogg contributed to this report