Red Wings Add Blueliner Nemeth

The Red Wings signed defenseman Patrik Nemeth on Monday, as NHL free agency opened.

The #RedWings today signed defenseman Patrik Nemeth to a 2-year contract. pic.twitter.com/niJ3lHoA5U

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2019

The deal was first broken by Frank Seravalli of TSN.

Patrik Nemeth is heading to the #RedWings on a two-year deal with a nice raise from the $2.5 million he made last year.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2019

The two-year term gives the Red Wings some depth going into next summer, when much of their blue line corps will hit free agency.  Between now and then, though, it adds to a logjam that already includes Madison Bowey, Dennis Cholowski, Trevor Daley, Danny DeKeyser, Jonathan Ericsson, Mike Green, and Filip Hronek.  Additionally, free agent signee Oliwer Kaski will look to contend for a roster spot and veteran Niklas Kronwall may choose to return for another season.

This could be a sign that one or more of that group won’t be back with the Red Wings in the fall.  At this time, however, that’s a lot of defensemen for not enough roster spots.