Red Wings bring in Green and 2-time Cup champion Richards

With free agent season underway, the Detroit Red Wings didn't waste anytime in signing defenseman Mike Green to a three-year, $18 million contract and center Brad Richards to a one-year contract that guarantees him $3 million, but that could be worth $4 million with bonuses.

At 29 years old, Green had 10 goals & 45 points in 72 games with the Washington Capitals last season, and two assists in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He played on the third defense pair, but had 17 powerplay points. Green spent all 10 NHL seasons with Washington, in which he scored at least 15 goals three times, including 31 in the 2008-09 season. Selected with the 29th pick of the 2004 NHL Draft, his 360 points are fifth among Capitals defensemen.



35-year old Richards had 12 goals & 37 points with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, and 14 points in 23 playoff games to help Chicago win the Stanley Cup. He also won the Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, when he had 26 points in 23 games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

In 15 seasons with the Lightning, Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, & New York Rangers, Richards had 288 goals and 904 points in 1,058 games. He also had 36 goals and 104 points in 141 playoff games.