DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Robbie Russo to a two-year contract.
It's a two-way deal. Russo would earn an NHL salary of $650,000 when up with the Red Wings and $125,000 this season and $250,000 next season in the AHL.
He is expected to start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, since the Red Wings have nine NHL defensemen on their roster, including Luke Witkowski, who can play forward as well.
Russo, 24, is waiver-exempt for one more season.
The right-shooting defenseman appeared in 19 games for Detroit at the end of the 2016-17 season.