Red Wings Sign Tomas Jurco to a Two-Year Deal

DETROIT, MICH -- Tomas Jurco and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed on a two-year contract.

After conflicting reports from the Detroit beat-writers on a foreign report of the Slovakian forward on the verge of signing, it is now safe to say that the reports were true. The 22-year-old forward has 33 points in 99 career NHL games. He's still a highly valuable player. His lack of production has been a question mark, but I think all Red Wings fans know that he wasn't necessarily used to his fullest potential under former bench boss Mike Babcock. Jurco will end this contract as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

I was anticipating a one-year deal as a "show me what you can do" type of agreement, but I think two years is great for the kid, and the club. Jurco is still a developing NHL player, and I believe that he will turn into a top-six winger in the foreseeable future. As soon as terms have been disclosed, we'll give you an update.

UPDATE:

More from the Red Wings organization:

The Detroit Red Wings today agreed to terms with right wing Tomas Jurco on a two-year contract. In accordance with club policy, additional details will not be disclosed.

Jurco, 22, skated in 63 games with the Red Wings in 2014-15, his first full professional season, and recorded 18 points (3-15-18) alongside a plus-six rating and 14 penalty minutes. He also appeared in all seven of Detroit’s first-round playoff games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, picking up a goal and an assist. In 99 career NHL games over the past two seasons, Detroit’s former second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has collected 33 points (11-22-33) and 28 penalty minutes. He also spent parts of two seasons with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, totaling 60 points (27-33-60) in 106 regular-season games and adding 21 points (13-8-21) in 32 postseason appearances. Jurco was a member of Grand Rapids’ 2013 Calder Cup championship team.

The three-year pro spent three seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL prior to his time in the AHL, helping the club reach the league finals in three consecutive seasons and win back-to-back President’s Cups in 2011 and 2012. Jurco racked up 175 points (87-88-175) over 172 games with Saint John and also captured the CHL’s Memorial Cup with the club in 2011. The Kosice, Slovakia, native amassed 64 points (26-38-64) in 56 career QMJHL playoff games and recorded eight points (6-2-8) in eight Memorial Cup games. Jurco also represented his country at back-to-back World Junior Championships in 2011 and 2012, totaling nine points (2-7-9), and was the youngest member of Slovakia’s 2014 Winter Olympic Team in Sochi, Russia, picking up one assist in four games played.