The Detroit Red Wings have decided that David Booth has done enough to deserve a deal, as they have signed him to a one-year contract for the 2017-18 season. Booth had been in Red Wings’ camp on a professional tryout, but will now be on a two-way deal worth $700K at the NHL level. It will mark a return to the NHL for the 32-year old Booth after two years playing in the KHL.
A local kid who played minor hockey in Detroit before attending Michigan State University for four years, Booth will now play in front of his hometown for the first time in his NHL career. In 502 previous contests with the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs, the speedy forward recorded 231 points. Over the past two years he has played 59 games in the KHL (including playoffs), scoring just 26 points.
While there is no guarantee that Booth spends the entire season in the NHL, he has made enough of an impression to warrant a return to North American professional hockey. A former 30-goal scorer, there is a chance that could be another trade deadline asset for the Red Wings if he can show he is still able to contribute. Otherwise, he’ll serve as much needed depth for a club that has question marks surrounding several players, including Andreas Athanasiou who remains unsigned.