DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Oliwer Kaski to a one-year entry-level contract, the team announced Tuesday. Kaski spent a season at Western Michigan University, where he put up 12 points in 31 games played. He went back to Europe after just one season, but perhaps his time in Michigan was enough for the Red Wings to have a better chance at landing him as a free agent. It's a great look for new Detroit GM Steve Yzerman as Kaski could help Detroit's defense right away. If you have not signed up for my Red Wings newsletter and you like to follow the team, please sign up now.

Oliwer Kaski is officially signing with the Detroit Red Wings, according to hockey insider Darren Dreger. Dreger reports that the Finnish defenseman intends to sign with the Red Wings after his participation in the World Championship. Kaski, 23, has been tearing it up in SM-liiga, or the Finnish Elite League, Finland's top pro hockey league. The defenseman scored 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points in 59 games played this season with the Lahti Pelicans. Kaski spent a season at Western Michigan University, where he put up 12 points in 31 games played.

DETROIT Oliwer Kaski's new team is the "legendary Detroit Red Wings," according to a Finnish media report. Kaski, 23, has been tearing it up in SM-liiga, or the Finnish Elite League, Finland's top pro hockey league. The report from Ilta-Sanomat points out Kaski would become the fourth Finnish player in Detroit's history behind Valtteri Filppula, Ville Leino and Teemu Pulkkinen. Anyway, if this becomes official it would be Steve Yzerman's first signing as Red Wings general manager. NEW: Finnish defenseman Oliwer Kaski will sign with Red Wings