Red Wings Re-Sign Ben Chiarot to Interesting Extension

Chiarot, a veteran left-shot defender, has been a steady NHL presence since 2014-15, with notable stops in Winnipeg, Montreal, Florida, and Detroit. His stock rose during Montreal’s 2021 Cup Final run, but his play in Detroit has been inconsistent, with poor possession numbers and a reduced role.

While he’s shown improvement this season, questions remain about long-term value at age 34. The team often gets heavily outplayed when he’s on the ice, and his partners typically perform worse alongside him.

Chiarot could have hit free agency as one of the top left-shot defensemen in a thin market. This would have been his third UFA run after signing with Montreal in 2019 and Detroit in 2022. Based likely on both his age and comfort level where he is, Chiarot opted not to see what his value was to other teams.

The three-year term was probably the price for the lower AAV and an early extension.