DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings are done exploring the free-agent market. Next up is getting their own restricted free agents signed.
They inked defenseman Xavier Ouellet Monday to a two-year contract worth $1.25 million a season.
Ouellet, who turns 24 on July 29, earned $715,000 last season, when he appeared in 66 games, with three goals, 12 points and a plus-2 rating. He has played in 96 games over parts of four NHL seasons (five goals, 16 points, plus-4).
He will be battling for a spot in the lineup on a crowded defense that includes Danny DeKeyser, Trevor Daley, Mike Green, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Nick Jensen and Luke Witkowski, who can play defense or right wing.