By Blake Froling
The Detroit Red Wings will likely be bringing back defenseman Mike Green once free agency begins at noon on Sunday, according to multiple reports. The deal is expected to be two years with an average annual value of $5.375 million.
Green, 31, led all Red Wings defensemen with 33 points in 66 games last year, but saw his season cut short when he suffered a neck injury in March.
Detroit is also eyeing a reunion with 34-year-old forward Thomas Vanek, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Vanek signed with the Wings for the 2016-17 season before being dealt to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline.
It’s believed Thomas Vanek is considering a return to Detroit. Mike Green is staying put and the Wings likely to add Bernier Sunday as well.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 30, 2018
Detroit is in need of a backup goaltender for Jimmy Howard with Petr Mrazek gone and Jared Coreau struggling so much last season. It appears as though the team is set on Colorado’s Jonathan Bernier. He posted a 19-13 record last season with a 2.85 GAA and .913 save percentage. Bernier will be 30 when the season begins.