Wings sign depth forward Haydar; re-sign Oulahen

by Ansar Khan

Wednesday July 23, 2008, 3:32 PM

AP File PhotoFormer AHL standout Darren Haydar has a signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings have signed right wing Darren Haydar to a one-year, two-way contract for $525,000. He'll most likely bolster their depth in Grand Rapids, filling the role that Mark Hartigan had last season.

Haydar (5-9, 170) had one goal and seven assists in 16 games with the Atlanta Thrashers last season and has appeared in 22 games in parts of three seasons in the NHL.

"He's a high-end American Hockey League depth type of player,'' Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. "We're set with 12 solid forwards. The 13th, 14th and 15th spots are open. We're looking for some healthy competition (in training camp). We just want to add some depth and it's important to have those types of players.''

Haydar, 28, has been a prolific scorer during his six seasons in the AHL. He helped the Chicago Wolves win the Calder Cup this past season, becoming the AHL's career leader in playoff goals (55) and points (124) in the process. Haydar was the AHL's MVP in 2006-07, when he led the league in (81) and points (122) while scoring 41 goals. He had 19 goals and 39 assists in 51 games for the Wolves during this past regular season, when he served as team captain.

Hartigan recently signed with Dinamo Riga, a Latvian club in the Kontinental Hockey League.

The Wings also announced they have re-signed forward Ryan Oulahen to a one-year deal. Oulahen has played the last three seasons with the Griffins, picking up 34 goals and 42 assists in 229 games.