The Detroit Red Wings have signed winger Adam Erne to a two-year deal and in doing so avoid arbitration. Erne’s deal carries an AAV of $2.1 million dollars through the 2022-23 season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman broke the signing on Sunday morning.
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Adam Erne Re-Ups With the Detroit Red Wings
Erne has spent the entirety of his career with Steve Yzerman as his general manager. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round in 2013, the 26-year-old has played 215 games split between the Lightning and Red Wings, scoring 26 goals and 52 points. He signs a multi-year deal for the first time since his entry-level contract and rejoins the Wings for a third consecutive season.
Last year, Erne returned to form in the shooting department after suffering from PDO in 2019-20. His 11 goals in a COVID-shortened season came on just 105 shot attempts with a shooting percentage of 15.5%. Meanwhile, the big-bodied fourth-liner also registered 82 hits in just 45 games. Although he will be surrounded by new linemates for the 2021-22 season with both Luke Glendening and Darren Helm moving on during free agency.
What This Means Going Forward
Not much has changed for the Red Wings this off-season in terms of their position within the league. Yes, they’ve undoubtedly improved with the additions of Alex Nedeljkovic, Pius Suter and Jordan Oesterle, but they will continue to remain patient as they enter year 4 of a painful rebuild.
All in all, Erne’s price tag seems like a slight overpay for a utility player. However, it’s not the kind of contract that will cause a rebuilding team any bother. The former Quebec Rempart is clearly well-liked by Yzerman so his contract is a reward for consistent output over his three consecutive one-year deals.
What Erne brings to the table for Detroit is all you can ask for from a bottom-six player. With clear scoring upside, coupled with good physicality, Erne could partner newly acquired Mitchell Stephens as a regular linemate going forward.
