After impressing at the AHL level all season, Turner Elson has earned himself an NHL contract. The Detroit Red Wings have signed Elson to a two-year contract that will start immediately and run through the 2019-20 season. The 26-year old forward is on waivers today, a necessary step after signing the contract.
Elson was originally signed by the Calgary Flames in 2011 after playing well for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, and was part of that origination for several years. In 2015-16 he played a single NHL game, recording an assist only to never suit up again for the Flames. After bouncing around for the past two seasons, Elson is having the best season of his professional career with 28 points in 44 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
This deal would suggest that the Red Wings plan on using Elson as NHL depth, perhaps as an injury call-up at some point. To do that they needed to get him on an NHL contract, and a two-year deal will give the forward some security for his playing future.
Why can’t the Red Wings sign Defenseman??!?