The Red Wings have signed free agent defenseman Ian White to a two-year deal worth $2.875 million per season.
White, who is 27 years old played for three teams last season (Calgary, Carolina, San Jose) on his way to picking up four goals, 22 assists and 26 points in 77 games. According to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com, White was a top four defenseman with the Sharks during the playoffs this past season registering one goal and eight assists in 17 games.
Khan also mentions that despite his small size (5-foot-10, 195 pounds), he does play with an edge and actually took a pay cut having made just under $3 million last season.
“We’ve seen him a lot in the San Jose series,” general manager Ken Holland told Booth Newspapers. “He can play on the power play, he’s a competitor. He’s a guy that thinks the game. He’s got the skills. We’ve got skilled defensemen in (Nicklas) Lidstrom, (Niklas) Kronwall, others, and he’s comfortable playing with them.”
White is a puck moving defenseman who can come in and play the point during power plays. Even though he isn’t going to come in and replace Brian Rafalski this was a solid signing for the Wings given the shallow pool of free agent defenseman.
Source: Mlive.com
