DEFENSEMAN

I was writing a newsletter this week titled “Waiting on Hronek,” and then he signed. Perfect.

Defenseman Marc Staal is staying with the Detroit Red Wings for at least one more season.

Defenseman Nick Leddy is joining the Red Wings thanks to a trade announced Friday night with the New York Islanders.

A 19-year-old Russian hockey player has died after being hit in the head by the puck during a game, his club and the league said Tuesday. KHL is saddened by passing of JHL Dynamo St. Petersburg player Timur Fayzutdinov (19 y.o. The Junior Hockey League said Faizutdinov died Tuesday after "doctors fought for Timur's life over the course of three days." Dynamo said upcoming games in competitions, including the Kontinental Hockey League, will begin with a minute's silence for Faizutdinov. In 2016, a 16-year-old Russian hockey player died after being hit in the neck with a puck during a game.

Donovan Sebrango is a Steve Yzerman draft pick, first and foremost. That means quite a lot considering the GM’s drafting track record: Nikita Kucherov (2nd round), Brayden Point (3rd round), Anthony Cirelli (3rd round), Mathieu Joseph (4th round), dare I say Moritz Seider? Entry-level contractThe Yzerman regime selected Sebrango in the 3rd round, 63rd overall, in the 2020 draft. The Red Wings now have signed the 19-year-old defenseman to a three-year entry-level contract this week. You can understand why Yzerman would grab him in the 3rd round.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have signed former Michigan Wolverines defenseman Jon Merrill to a one-year contract. He was a standout at Michigan for three seasons between 2010 and 2013. NHL free agency opened at noon Friday. Detroit GM Steve Yzerman also signed right wing Bobby Ryan to a one-year deal. More: NHL free agency opens today: Follow Red Wings updates

Mike Green plans to retire from hockey amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from The Athletic. The former Detroit Red Wings defenseman said he is considering other things that I feel called to do.Green, 34, joined the Red Wings in 2015. He had 11 points in 48 games played with the Red Wings this season with a -32 rating. He was traded to Ken Hollands Edmonton Oilers in February as the Oilers were making a push for the playoffs. Overall, Green recorded 501 points in 880 career NHL games.