The Red Wings announced they’ve signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell to one-year deals worth $875K and $775K, respectively. They’re also signing veteran James van Riemsdyk, per Frank Seravalli. It’s a one-year deal worth $1MM plus $750,000 in potential performance bonuses, per Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic.
After a failed trade that nearly brought van Riemsdyk to Detroit a few years ago, he lands with the Red Wings on a low-risk deal. He’s coming off a similar one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring 16 goals and 36 points in 71 games with a -4 rating. Still, it’s challenging to see how van Riemsdyk fits into Detroit’s everyday lineup.
He could become the immediate replacement for Vladimir Tarasenko, who was dealt in a cost-clearing trade to the Minnesota Wild yesterday. Given his age and last year’s scoring performance, the Red Wings should avoid giving van Riemsdyk top-six minutes. Furthermore, his 87.7% on-ice save percentage at even strength from last season indicates that van Riemsdyk may lack sufficient defensive capabilities to justify a role in the bottom-six.
Ultimately, Detroit could position van Riemsdyk alongside Jonatan Berggren and Elmer Söderblom, who were two of Detroit’s better defensive-minded forwards last season. That way, van Riemsdyk could focus on adding tertiary scoring to the Red Wings’ lineup while his linemates make up for his defensive shortcomings.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings have added a few depth defenseman in Bernard-Docker and Mitchell. The former is coming off a split season between the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres, scoring two goals and eight points in 40 games played. He’s known for blocking shots and maintaining impressive defensive metrics in a lower-utilized role.
Mitchell is likely bound for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and will be called upon if Detroit has injury troubles on the blue line. He split his time between the Boston Bruins and AHL’s Providence Bruins last season, scoring four goals and 27 points in 47 games with a +11 rating with the latter.
PHR’s Brennan McClain contributed significantly to this article.
Haven’t the Wings already painfully learned from years of signing junk ?? Yikes
Wait what? Has Steve completely lost it? What the #$%@? Why in the world would you block your young talented D for these guys? And does Van R really appeal to anyone? Just bring up Danielson, Lombardi, or someone else at GR. QUIT with signing these types, let the kids just play! Wow
A total joke, this is nuts. I really did not expect more garbage signings, wow. How does Yzerman explain this ???
Easy, they are all cheap 1 year deals, and can be waived and buried in the AHL if needed. The sky is not falling, it’s all depth pieces here, geez everyone just relax. If they were 3 or 4 year deals, yeah panic, but it’s not, so just chill.
Seriously, chill. Have you not seen how there are literally no impact players available? JVR can help in bottom 6 role for the most minimal commitment. And two depth D who are easy for ASP to hurdle when he’s ready. If this kind of thing gets you so upset – all joking aside – you need to reassess and seek a more healthy outlet.
Exactly. Just depth pieces on cheap short deals.
Sorry, not adding quality talent means another mediocre season
So, Fuery and Sagin, your ok with these moves? Wouldn’t you rather have prospects up and playing if old guys and young guys are equal….which they sure are in this case. I’d rather see Mazur or Soderbloom get more time.
Well the Dmen arent blocking anyone, so whatever. JVR has something most of the guys on DRW dont, which is he’s 6’4″. Sure I’d like to see Elmer in the lineup, but that didnt happen last year because of injury and effectiveness (and I dont think he signed yet anyways as an RFA?). Danielson isnt coming up to play 3W. Mazur is gonna come up to be the 4C, so neither are affected by JVR. It’s easy to say just plug in so and so but if you do that then they’ll have an entire top 6 of guys under 6′, which is not ideal in any way. So, I’m fine yeah, because tell me who blocks who… the answer is no one om this list blocks anyone of significance from anything. At least that’s what I see.
Quietly JVR was a positive in terma of Corsi last year, AND scored more goals and had more points than Tarasenko, and did so in 10 less games.
None of these guys are playing 20 minutes a night. Steve raised the floor of the team, that’s it.
Which players should they have signed?
Vomit
Yikes, signing guys even Boston didn’t want. My condolences to Wings fans.
Most like these scrubs will be in Grand Rapids
So far, just running it back while others in the Conference get better. Goaltending “might” be a little improved, but nothing else at this point. Looks like another year of non playoffs unless a couple of kids REALLY breakout. Doubt it though. Still time to make a bigger change, but so far, squat.
Disagree. Tarasenko not being in the lineup is better. G is not slightly better, it’s much better. Kasper in the lineup full time is better.
Everything that’s been done so far makes the Wings better so far this offseason.
LOL
Kasper WAS in the lineup full time starting with Week 2 of the season
(After he was inexplicably sent to GR following the preseason)
The Red Wings NEEDED a known veteran leader, they got that in JVR, and for a good price. Larkin may have the “C” on his jersey but there’s no way he’s ever the ring leader of a championship team. It’s a long summer who knows what trades could still go down. By the way to the people crying about these signings, why?
Somehow I expected more from Yzerman than this. Not sure what I expected, but this certainly can’t be all of the moves he’s going to make. Have to believe there’s a trade brewing or a big signing coming, but……