According to the latest report from Ansar Khan, the Detroit Red Wings inked Russian defenseman Alexey Marchenko to a new contract. Marchenko, 24, was an RFA and his contract will have a $1.45 million cap hit.
#RedWings re-sign RFA defenseman Alexey Marchenko for two years at a $1.45 million cap hit.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 1, 2016
This is good news for the Wings, who will have back in their lineup a capable NHL defenseman at a very low cap hit, especially considering what a UFA can demand and obtain on July 1st. Marchenko, who was born on January 2nd, 1992, had a career-high 66 games last season, where he posted two goals and 11 points. Marchenko also skated in three playoff games. In May, the Moscow, Russia native skated with Team Russia at the IIHF World Championship at home soil, helping his team to win a bronze medal.
With Marchenko, the Red Wings are getting tremendous value from the seventh round pick they used on him during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Marchenko had a slow start of his North American career due to injury problems, but he is now finally getting more ice time and delivering for the Wings. This season he logged 16:50 of average time on ice, compared with 13:21 of his rookie season and 15:26 of his sophomore campaign. It is expected that Marchenko’s time on ice and role within the team will grow further next year.
In late May, Alexey Marchenko was added to Team Russia roster for the World Cup of Hockey.
Earlier, the Red Wings re-signed forward Darren Helm to a five-year deal with an average cap hit of $3.85 million.
Detroit Red Wings and Darren Helm agree to terms on a 5 year/ $3.85M AAV #DRW
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) July 1, 2016
The Marchenko re-sign is not the only news of interest regarding Russian players, as it is rumored that the Montreal Canadiens signed Alexander Radulov. The two played together for CSKA Moscow in the 2012-13 lockout season, and Radulove ended up as the team’s top scorer.