Thomas signs on with Detroit
Canadian Press
11/5/2003
DETROIT (CP) - The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran winger Steve Thomas to a one-year, $1-million US deal.
Thomas, an unrestricted free agent, was working out in Toronto this fall, waiting for an offer. The one-year deal also includes performance bonuses.
The deal could bring the 40-year-old Thomas closer to his dream of winning his first Stanley Cup. He fell one game short last spring with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
The Red Wings were looking for help after losing star forward Henrik Zetterberg for four to six weeks to a broken leg. The Wings are also without star defenceman Derian Hatcher (knee injury) for the rest of the regular season.
``Given the injury to Henrik Zetterberg and the importance of maintaining our position in the standings, we felt it was important to add a veteran forward,'' Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a statement. ``Steve is a talented forward, he knows what it takes to win and he has great character.
``He should fit in very well with our team both on the ice and in the dressing room. We're very please to have him as a Red Wing.''
Detroit's next game is Saturday at home to Nashville.
Thomas was languishing in Chicago last season before a March deadline deal to Anaheim saw him score 10 goals in 12 games with the Mighty Ducks and another four goals in the post-season. He made $1 million last season.
Thomas has 411 goals and 500 assists in 1,191 career regular-season NHL games with Toronto (twice), Chicago (twice), the N.Y. Islanders, New Jersey and Anaheim.
Cheers,
Aquaman