Wings sign David Booth to a one-year, $700k contract

After spending training camp on a PTO with the Red Wings, David Booth has inked a one-year deal worth $700k to stick around in Detroit. Booth will immediately be placed on waivers as the Red Wings’ roster starts to take shape.

This seems somewhat curious, of course, because David Booth now has a contract and Andreas Athanasiou doesn’t. But Booth, who played well in pre-season and adds another hard working veteran type to the dressing room, has a salary just above the league minimum, meaning he carries virtually zero financial burden. If he plays poorly, the Wings can stash him in the minors and they won’t be on the hook for any buried cap hit.

On a more personal level, this is a very impressive comeback for Booth, who’s only played 41 games over the past two seasons in the KHL. The native of Detroit last played in the NHL in 2014-15 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but used to be a very solid top-six scoring winger before suffering a concussion in 2011.

Also on waivers is defenceman Ryan Sproul, who was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft. Sproul played 27 games with the Wings last season, but wasn’t able to crack a blueline loaded with veterans.