The Detroit Red Wings have locked down veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot with a substantial three-year contract. On Wednesday, Chiarot signed an agreement worth $11.55 million, averaging $3.85 million annually. This move comes as Chiarot, aged 34, was set to become a free agent after his previous four-year deal expired in July 2022. With 11 points in 54 games and an impressive 21:07 average ice time, Chiarot has been a key player for the Red Wings this season. His performance has been particularly notable, as he played a career-high 81 games last season and even skated for 22:19 in his 700th NHL game. Chiarot's journey in the NHL began with the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 draft, and he has since amassed 181 points across 777 regular-season games for teams like the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers. As the Red Wings continue their strong season, sitting second in the Atlantic Division, Chiarot's addition provides a solid defensive presence. The team's next challenge awaits on Thursday when they host the Washington Capitals, with the added intrigue of Patrick Kane potentially breaking Mike Modano's record for most points by a US-born player in NHL history.
