DETROIT — Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman wasted little time Wednesday bolstering his roster on the first day on NHL free agency by adding several players to the mix.
The Red Wings announced the signing of 28-year-old center Andrew Copp to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5.625 million per year. Copp, who is from Ann Arbor, Mich. and played hockey at the University of Michigan, scored 21 goals last season with the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers.
His 21 goals, 32 assists and 53 points were career highs. He totaled 14 points in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
"I'm really excited about the additions today and I think that we are definitely poised to take a big step this season," Copp said.
Detroit made another big splash later in the day by signing veteran left wing David Perron to a two-year contract worth $4.75 million AAV. Perron, 34, spent 11 of his 15 seasons with the St. Louis Blues in three separate stints.
Perron has been a reliable point-producer everywhere he's been. He scored 27 goals last season, his highest total since he scored 28 in 2013-14 with Edmonton.
"The Red Wings are a team that I think are ready to take the next step in their evolution and I wanted to be a part of that," Perron said.
The team also announced the signing of left wing Dominik Kubalik to a two-year, $2.5 million AAV contract. Kubalik, 26, spent his first three years in Chicago where he scored 62 goals and put up 116 points.
Detroit also reached agreements with defensemen Olli Maatta and Ben Chiarot, according to various reports.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported the deal for Maatta is one year, $2.25 million. Maatta, 27, is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to two Stanley Cups in his six seasons.
He also had stints in Chicago and Los Angeles. Last year, he notched 8 points and was a plus-17 in 66 games with the Kings.
NHL Network's Elliotte Friedman reported the Red Wings signed Chiarot to a four-year contract worth a average of $4.75 million a year. Chiarot spent last season with the Florida Panthers.
"It's well known around the league that this is a young, up-and-coming team and today with all the additions, it just makes an even more exciting team," Chiarot said.
The 31-year-old is known for his heavy hits and gives Detroit another big body on defense with his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame.
The Wings were expected to address their defense after allowing 310 goals last season, the second-most in the NHL.
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