Detroit Red Wings get help from their Original 6 rival in completed signing announcement moments ago

The divisional and Original 6 foe of the Detroit Red Wings, the Toronto Maple Leafs, re-signed RFA forward Nick Robertson to a 1 year contract earlier today with an AAV (average annual value) of $1.85 million.

Robertson had 22 points (15G, 7A) in 69 games for the Maple Leafs last year, and they're going to be keeping him around for at least another year with the team.

The Red Wings have a prospect who could take a similar career path of Robertson in Carter Mazur, and if he pans out, the Red Wings could use Robertson's latest contract extension as a comparable in their future negotiations with Mazur's representation.

Mazur is likely to earn a spot with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins this year, as it will give him a chance to continue his professional development before eventually trying to earn a main spot with the Red Wings.

Speaking of RFA players, the Red Wings signed a pair of their own to new deals. Jonatan Berggren was signed to a 1 year contract, while defenseman Albert Johansson was signed to a new 2 year deal after a strong showing in his rookie year with Detroit.

Both Johansson and Mazur are a pair of the younger players that Steve Yzerman has made among his draft haul to restock the prospect cupboard that was nearly completely empty thanks to the mismanagement of young assets from previous GM Ken Holland.

Holland is already taking major heat from fans of the Los Angeles Kings for his usual tactics of signing older free agents to long term contracts.