Red Wings sign Patrick Eaves

How bout them apples?

Well. Here’s another reclamation project – think Danny Cleary. And yes, our good friend Kyle from BDS called this last month.

James Mirtle has Detroit’s press release here, which reads:

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Patrick Eaves to a one-year contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Originally a first round pick (29th overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Eaves has played in 242 career games with the Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored 20 goals in just 58 games in 2005-06, his rookie season in the NHL. Eaves followed his impressive debut with career highs in assists (18) and points (32) in 2006-07.

Lots of upside for a former first rounder who potted 20 as a rookie. And while he has “fallen off,” he may come in pretty cheap considering his salary will be supplemented by his buyout cash from the Bruins.

He played collegiate hockey at Boston College, where he was a Hobey Baker finalist. In 2004, he was a member of the United States World Junior Champions.

No word on salary yet, but if it’s under – say – 900k, this is a steal.

Perhaps most importantly, does this mean that the offer to Jason Williams is off the table? Because that would be swell.

***UPDATE***
Bruce MacLeod (Red Wings Beat Writer 1B) says, via Twitter, that he hasn’t heard exact numbers yet, but it’s under a million. That’s a good start!

***UPDATE #2***
The hell you say??! MacLeod has Eaves’ salary at $500,000. Great news.