Hockeytown just dropped a nuclear bomb on the NHL offseason.
The Detroit Red Wings have officially pulled off a jaw-dropping double move in free agency — signing gritty Florida Panthers star Sam Bennett and locking down Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner Ivan Provorov to a stunning seven-year, $56 million deal.
Yes, you read that right. The rebuild is officially over. The Wings are all-in.
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Red Wings Snag Bennett: Grit, Goals, and Guts
Sam Bennett has long been known for his playoff heroics and no-nonsense two-way game. Now, he brings his fire and fearless edge to a young Detroit forward group that’s ready to make the leap.
The deal:
4 years, $22 million — an aggressive offer that beat out several contenders, including the Oilers and Flames, sources say.
Bennett, 28, tallied 22 goals and 48 points with the Panthers last season, and was a relentless force in the postseason — again. He’s precisely the type of middle-six warrior GM Steve Yzerman loves: physical, versatile, and battle-tested.
> “This is a guy who drags his team into the fight,” said one NHL exec. “He’s going to change the culture in that locker room instantly.”
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Provorov Locked In: Red Wings Fortify the Blue Line
And just when the NHL world was still catching its breath, Yzerman followed that move with an even bigger headline — signing Ivan Provorov to a massive 7-year, $56 million contract.
The 28-year-old defenseman, who had quietly bounced back in Columbus, now becomes a foundational piece of Detroit’s back end.
Provorov posted 39 points last season, played over 23 minutes a night, and was one of the league’s most consistent even-strength defenders. He’ll likely be paired with either Moritz Seider or Jake Walman, giving Detroit one of the nastiest top-fours in the Eastern Conference.
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Trade Fallout and Full Cap Impact
While both moves came via free agency and didn’t require a trade, sources confirm Detroit will look to move a depth forward or defenseman in the coming weeks to create additional cap flexibility.
Projected Top Pairings/Lines Now Include:
Bennett – Larkin – Raymond
Provorov – Seider
Let that sink