The Detroit Red Wings have signed Brian Lashoff to a two-year two-way contract extension worth $700K at the NHL level. The veteran defenseman was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but will now be with the organization until the summer of 2021.
Lashoff, 28, has played just six NHL games since the 2014-15 season but is an important part of the Grand Rapids Griffins. A two-time Calder Cup champion, Lashoff is a reliable defensive presence that brings size and leadership to the organization, mentoring the Red Wings next wave of young talent. With players like Filip Hronek and Dennis Cholowski such an important part of the future for Detroit, having someone like Lashoff to set an example in the minor leagues is valuable.
Still, this extension will likely have little on-ice impact for the Red Wings. Lashoff has been used as an injury replacement but does not have much of a future as a Red Wings player. He’ll need to clear waivers next fall in order to be sent back down, but that shouldn’t cause much of an issue.
Is this related to the expansion draft?
I didn’t realize he was only 28. I was thinking he was in his 30s when he was up in ‘15
Ahh good point. Probably.