Red Wings add eight eager free agents

DETROIT -- When a team has fallen on hard times and hasn't made the playoffs in four seasons, there is often hesitation from free agents to sign on and buy in to a rebuild.

But there is still an undeniable cache to playing for an iconic Original Six franchise, and the Detroit Red Wings will always be a desirable destination that NHL players covet. The Red Wings signed eight free agents over the weekend, many of whom said it was a no-brainer to come to Hockeytown.
On the first day of free agency Friday, Detroit signed left wing Bobby Ryan and defenseman Jon Merrill to one-year deals, and also agreed to terms with goaltender Kevin Boyle and forwards Riley Barber and Kyle Criscuolo.
On Saturday, the Red Wings added goalie Thomas Greiss and defenseman Troy Stecher, and on Sunday, Detroit capped off the weekend by signing center Vladislav Namestnikov, providing the club with several eager veterans who will contribute on and off the ice.
Ryan is the biggest gem of the free-agent class for Detroit, as a former No. 2 overall pick and an 833-game NHL veteran with 254 career goals and 301 assists under his belt.
He had a 45-minute phone conversation with Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman before signing and said he was immediately sold.
"The passion that comes through for the Red Wings through him is contagious," Ryan said. "I walked out of the room (after the call) and told my wife 'I think we're signing with Detroit.'"
Ryan, who spent six seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and seven with the Ottawa Senators, boasts six seasons of 50-plus points in his career. The veteran was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey last season.
Ryan said he's excited to bring a veteran presence to a young, hungry Red Wings team and join forces with rising stars like Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin.

"Dylan was probably one of the biggest conversations I had," Ryan said. "They have a good feeling that they're going to be a much more competitive team. That's all I needed to hear. This is not a group of guys that wants to lose, that is OK with it, and they're not going to lose for long. And I hope I can help facilitate them into that next stage."
Yzerman said he thinks Ryan will be a perfect fit in the Wings' system and in the locker room. "Bobby is looking for an opportunity to jumpstart his career, and we're looking for scoring help up front, for a right-hand shot and for help on our power play." Yzerman said. "I was appreciative and impressed that Bobby took the initiative and did his homework on us. He wants to come and help be part of the rebuild and wants to be a mentor for our younger players."
As a 356-game NHL veteran with the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights, Merrill gives the Red Wings' blue line some much-needed experience and depth. The Wings used 14 different defensemen in 2019-20, and Merrill provides a strong defensive presence with postseason experience.

"I like to pride myself on a good first pass coming out my zone and taking care of the puck and being really sound defensively," Merrill said. "I'm hoping I can bring some difference into the dressing room and make it fun and really get things going."
Merrill, who grew up in Grand Blanc and was teammates with Luke Glendening at the University of Michigan, was a die-hard Red Wings fan growing up and said joining the Wings is a dream come true.
"As a kid, I always told myself if the opportunity to play for the Red Wings ever came up, I would jump at it," said the 28-year-old, who played youth hockey with Little Caesars and the U.S. National Development Team Program. "To see them calling right away today, it was an honor and a really easy decision for me." The Red Wings added more much-needed experience Saturday, signing Greiss to a two-year deal to replace veteran netminder Jimmy Howard, who spent 14 seasons in Detroit.
Greiss is an 11-year NHL veteran who spent the last five seasons with the New York Islanders. The 34-year-old is 137-90 in his career with a 2.63 goals-against average and said he's ecstatic to join a decorated franchise like the Red Wings.

"Just being an original hockey team," Greiss said about what made him sign with Detroit. "A great hockey city, great organization. They're very professional in that regard. Just playing in a real hockey city. You know, I've played in the desert in Arizona and stuff like that. Just looking forward to going to a real hockey city."
Greiss echoed Ryan's sentiment about joining a young team that's itching to become a winner again. He left an Islanders club that made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and hopes to help the Wings regain their postseason form.
"It's a different outlook than from the Islanders. But we had some tough times there, too," Greiss said. "I'm looking forward to a new challenge, a new environment. I think it's a good young team. They have a very good future. I trust Stevie Yzerman that he's going to do a great job. I'm looking forward to joining the team."
The Wings also continued restocking the blue line by agreeing to a three-year deal with 26-year-old defenseman Troy Stecher.
Stecher played the first four seasons of his career with the Vancouver Canucks, amassing 75 points in 286 games. He played in every game last season and joins former Canucks teammates Alex Biega and Sam Gagner in Detroit.
"I couldn't be more excited about joining this organization," Stecher said. "I know they're excited to have me and I'm excited to get there. It presents a new opportunity for myself and I'm super excited about that."
The signing of Namestnikov is a homecoming of sorts as he reunites with Yzerman, who originally drafted him in the first round of the 2011 Draft.

"I've known (Yzerman) for a long time. He drafted me in Tampa," said Namestnikov, who spent part of his childhood in Michigan and regularly returns to the area in the offseason. "It helps when you're familiar with the GM, so that definitely came into play when I made my decision. I'm happy it worked out here."
Namestnikov bounced between three teams last season, playing two games for the New York Rangers before being traded to Ottawa and eventually the Colorado Avalanche. In total, the 27-year-old Russian native earned 31 points last season in 65 games and said he's thrilled to sign a two-year deal with Detroit.
"It still doesn't feel real, but in a way, it does feel like coming home," Namestnikov said. "This is my summer home for many years, and I grew up here, so it definitely feels like it's coming home. As I said before, I'm beyond excited and hopefully we can get started here soon."
Yzerman said he's pleased with the haul of free agents his team signed over the weekend. The Wings' GM said it's important to have players excited about joining the club and buying in to the direction the organization is heading.
"We're real happy. The more guys that really have that enthusiasm that really have a burning (desire) to play for our team, I think that's really important," Yzerman said. "We're trying to surround the younger players with high-quality veterans, with guys who can help our team get better, help our young guys improve and be professional and make us more competitive."