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The Detroit Red Wings signed Evgeny Svechnikov for one year. Here's why

Evgeny Svechnikov was sent back to Grand Rapids with a message. Filmed Oct. 29, 2019 in Detroit. Detroit Free Press

Evgeny Svechnikov and the Detroit Red Wings agreed on a deal that makes the most sense.

The Wings extended their first pick in the 2015 draft for one year, the team announced Sunday afternoon.

It’s been a turbulent five years since the Wings selected the lanky Russian; he was billed as a package of size, strength, competitiveness and skill, but that has yet to show at the NHL level. Svechnikov had a good first year of pro hockey, turning in 20 goals and 31 assists in 74 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2016-17, and contributing 12 points in 19 playoffs games en route to the 2017 Calder Cup championship.