Hatcher Inks With Red Wings

NHL teams

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Derian Hatcher join our hockey club," said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. "He will be a major building block for our team for years to come. Derian is a unique player who grew up in the Detroit area and brings a great combination of size, strength, skill and toughness to our blue line."

Born in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Derian Hatcher has now an opportunity to play for the hometown team after spending his entire 12-year career with the Dallas Stars franchise.

The loss of Hatcher is a major blow for the Stars, who have decided to avoid doling out any multi-year contracts until the NHL reaches a new collective bargaining agreement.

The Red Wings can afford Hatcher's contract now that Sergei Fedorov will not return next season. The 33-year-old Russian center is an unrestricted free agent.

"Obviously, he (Fedorov) was a great player for us for a lot of years," Holland said. "I thought we made tremendous offers."