Red Wings Reportedly Sign Defenseman Patrik Nemeth

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Steve Yzerman has made his first significant signing as general manager of the Red Wings. 

The team agreed to a two-year deal with defenseman Patrik Nemeth on Monday, according to TSN. 

Patrik Nemeth is heading to the #RedWings on a two-year deal with a nice raise from the $2.5 million he made last year.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2019

Nemeth, 27, posted one goal and 10 points in 74 games with the Avalanche last season. He will add depth to the backend of Detroit's blue line. 

Yzerman made it clear entering free agency he wouldn't sign players for the sake of making a splash. The contract would have to fit in terms of both length and value. Nemeth seems to fit that description.

The six-year vet joins a defensive corps that features Danny DeKeyser, Trevor Daley, Mike Green, Jonathan Ericsson Filip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski and Madison Bowey. The Red Wings are also awaiting word from Niklas Kronwall, who hasn't decided whether or not he'll retire. 

Either way, competition for the top six spots figures to be tight in training camp. 

The Red Wings have also signed goalie Calvin Pickard to a two-way contract, according to TSN. Pickard will split time with prospect Filip Larsson in Grand Rapids and provide injury insurance for Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier.