Wings Sign Draper to Four-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings have signed unrestricted free agent Kris Draper to a four-year deal, the team announced on Thursday. As per team policy, the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The Red Wings were rumored to have resigned the center on Wednesday, one day before he would have become a free agent, but the rumor was false and Draper was one of the many players across the league who became a free agent at midnight of July 1.

Draper will reportedly earn $11.25 million over the four years of the contract.

Draper had a breakout season last year, scoring 24 goals and 40 points and claiming the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward.

The Red Wings will now focus on bringing back forwards Brendan Shanahan and Boyd Devereaux and defensemen Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios, as well as signing their restricted free agents.