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NHL Rumors: Red Wings and Riley Sheahan agree to two year deal

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) shoots as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) attempts to defend during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) shoots as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) attempts to defend during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Red Wings have agreed to a two year deal with restricted free agent Riley Sheahan. 

The Detroit Red Wings have the daunting task of having to replace Pavel Datsyuk, who might prove to be irreplaceable. One of the players that the Red Wings will be relying on to help replace him is Riley Sheahan. Sheahan was scheduled to become a restricted free agent, but Detroit has avoided that by signing him to a two-year deal. The precise financial terms of the deal have yet to be released, but Sheahan will have a cap hit of $2.075 million.


Sheahan, a 24-year-old center, had 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points in 81 regular season games during the 2015-16 season while averaging over 15 minutes of ice-time per game. He added one assist in five playoff games as the Red Wings were eliminated in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning. His contract will take him through the 2017-18 season. After the 2017-18 season, Sheahan will be a restricted free agent once again.

The Red Wings will be counting on Sheahan to improve after a rather lackluster 2015-16 season. Sheahan was expected to be more productive after a 36 point season during the 2014-15 season. He will likely see an increase in his role after being Detroit’s third line center in 2015-16. Unless the Red Wings add another center, it is likely that Sheahan will be on the second line. He’ll also likely see an increase in his power play time.

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