Red Wings sign trio of players

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.