Red Wings Sign May, Send Abdelkader to Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings announced on Thursday that they have signed forward Brad May to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not announced but TSN of Canada reports the deal is worth $500,000.

With the signing, Justin Abdelkader was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Abdelkader had played in both of the Wings’ season-opening games in Sweden. He was expected to be sent to Grand Rapids when Darren Helm returned from a shoulder injury.

May failed to latch on with a team over the summer and was extended a pro tryout by the Red Wings late in the exhibition season. He was released from the tryout when the Wings went to Sweden and signed a second tryout with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

At the time, rumors circulated theorizing that Detroit might sign him to a two-way deal that would see him spending most of the season in Grand Rapids. Aaron Downey filled a similar roll between the Red Wings and Griffins last season.

May has split 1,001 career games between the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has 127 goals, 160 assists and 2,182 penalty minutes.