Ian White

The Red Wings get: Detroit has signed offensive defenseman Ian White to a very respectable two-year deal worth approximately $2.8 million per season.

Fantasy Players Impacted:

Moreso than any other free agent signed over the weekend, White stands to benefit offensively in a huge way with the Wings. He will likely replace Brian Rafalski on the top power play unit, as, like Rafalski, he has a right-handed shot. He'll be getting crisp, accurate passes all season long from the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Lidstrom.

This move slides Nik Kronwall to the second power play unit for at least one more year. It may also render stud prospect Brendan Smith fantasy irrelevant for 2010-11, as there may not be enough power play time to go around. It would have been very un-Detroit to rely on an untested rookie for important minutes in any situation, so this signing should have been expected.

Detroit's top six is likely to include Lidstrom, White, Rafalski, Stuart, Ericsson, and either Kindl or newly-signed Mike Commodore. Smith will likely spend the majority of the season down in Grand Rapids.

White is no Rafalski in terms of overall game, but you could do a lot worse in terms of a replacement.

📢 advertisement:

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Ian White

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Brendan Smith (short term)

2. Niklas Kronwall

3. Jakub Kindl (short term)