Longtime Red Wings veteran Darren Helm signs with rival

Longtime Detroit Red Wings veteran Darren Helm has reportedly signed a one year contract with the Colorado Avalanche for $1 million.

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The 34 year old forward put up three goals and eight points in 47 games for the Red Wings in 2020-21. His play has dropped off considerably since his career best campaign in 2014-15 when he put up 15 goals and 33 points in 75 games. Still, he's a versatile depth forward with speed to burn and he could be a depth option on the third or fourth lines for the Avs this upcoming season.

Today's signing with the Avs put to end a 14 year career for Helm with the Red Wings. He exits the franchise with 112 goals and 251 points in 744 career regular season games. He managed to earn himself a Stanley Cup ring during his rookie season in 2007-08 and has been a staple of the team's 2nd and 3rd line for over a decade now. Still, with the team transitioning from Ken Holland to Steve Yzerman two years ago, you just knew that Helm's time with the Red Wings organization was coming to an end. After all, Yzerman has more or less eschewed the "veteran heavy" philosophy that Holland used in favour of a full rebuild focused on drafting and development. With the Red Wings nowhere near competing for a Stanley Cup, it makes perfect sense for Helm to move on to a team like the Avalanche who figure to be a contender not only this season, but for seasons to come.

Personally, my favourite memory of Helm in Detroit comes from the 2009 Western Conference Final against the Chicago Blackhawks when he absolutely ragged the puck and killed a full 30 seconds on the powerplay deep in the Blackhawks zone.

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For most Red Wings fans though, Helm will likely go down in history as one of the team's fastest skaters. Say what you want about his hands, but his feet never let him down and he seems to have an endless supply of energy out there. Just an absolute burner.