This is great news in my opinion:
Hearing Thomas Greiss to DET 2x$3.6M— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 10, 2020
Update:
Detroit has signed UFA goalie Thomas Greiss— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 10, 2020
Update #2: Official:
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today agreed to terms with goaltender Thomas Greiss on a two-year contract. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rD9g8N27Lu— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 10, 2020
Greiss was really the only goalie on the market who I thought that he’d both be an upgrade over Elliott and maybe be willing to take on a super backup role. Well, he ended up getting a $2.1 mil higher cap hit and likely the starting job in Detroit. So yeah. Not so realistic.— Charlie O’Connor (@charlieo_conn) October 10, 2020
Red Wings sign Thomas Greiss for two years. Provides stability in net after team parted ways with Jimmy Howard.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 10, 2020
two years, $3.6 M AAV per season https://t.co/nkdMcL09zK— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 10, 2020
Wings secure their goalie.
The contract isn’t signed yet, but it’s been agreed to. They’re finalizing terms now. https://t.co/NjfDRG8t5w— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 10, 2020
The #RedWings signed 34 y/o G Thomas Greiss to 2 year $3.6M Cap Hit Deal per @FriedgeHNIC.
-.913 SV% in 31GP
-Rep’d by @alphahockey https://t.co/80GHY5EAZr— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) October 10, 2020
thomas greiss@SanJoseSharks @ArizonaCoyotes (PHO)@penguins @NYIslanders
11 seasons
282GP 248GS 137-90-28
.915Sa% 2.35GAA 13Sh#RedWings— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) October 10, 2020
With G Thomas Greiss signed for 2 years at a $3.6M, we now show Detroit #RedWings with $22.438M in projected cap space with a roster of 18 (10F-6D-2G)
Pending RFAs include:
F Bertuzzi
F Mantha
F Timashovhttps://t.co/67Cuh1HPyi pic.twitter.com/qbmhqbJYki— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) October 10, 2020
greiss 2019-20
31GP 28GS 16-9-4
.913Sa% 2.74GAA https://t.co/lS7ldVA6qg— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) October 10, 2020
After signing Greiss ($3.6M), the #Redwings have $21.7M Projected Cap Space w/ 20 players (11F/7D/2G)
RFA: Martha, Bertuzzi, Timashovhttps://t.co/Pkq98xm7Rh— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) October 10, 2020
?SIGNING UPDATE?: Red Wings sign G Thomas Greiss to a two-year contract with a $3.6M AAV…
Follow every deal in our Signing Tracker – https://t.co/9G8sMTmZZA#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/cY1SxHUFWV— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 10, 2020
Thomas Greiss agreed to terms on a $7.2 million, 2-year deal with the Red Wings. AAV of $3.6M— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 10, 2020
Report: Red Wings add Greiss with 2-year, $7.2M contract https://t.co/ChlRZKUjVW pic.twitter.com/xETHSS2LvA— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) October 10, 2020
Greiss’s two-year contract breakdown is $2.8M in Year 1, and $4.4M in Year 2— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 10, 2020
Goaltender Thomas Greiss is headed to the @DetroitRedWings after signing a two-year deal. ?
What do you think of the signing? ?#NHLFreeAgency | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/lm1tQeRv1E— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 10, 2020
#RedWings get their goalie— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) October 10, 2020
Thomas Greiss ⏩ Red Wings. https://t.co/2mnEd9egHC pic.twitter.com/R3G4O1grgg— theScore (@theScore) October 10, 2020
2021 Detroit UFAs:
Valtteri Filppula
Sam Gagner
Darren Helm
Bobby Ryan
Luke Glendening
Turner Elson
Kyle Criscuolo
Riley Barber
Patrik Nemeth
Alex Biega
Marc Staal
Jon Merrill
Dylan McIlrath
Brian Lashoff
Jonathan Bernier
Calvin Pickard
Kevin Boyle— CapFriendly Depth Charts (@CF_DepthCharts) October 10, 2020
Most comparable contracts to Thomas Greiss
2 years $3.6M AAV #RedWings
1. Talbot, Cam (MIN)
2. Khudobin, Anton (DAL)
3. Mrázek, Petr (CAR)
4. Holtby, Braden (VAN)https://t.co/hxHxt2OVYP pic.twitter.com/R4GOz1bxbv— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) October 10, 2020
#RedWings address one of their biggest needs: https://t.co/TlyNNe1M9J— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) October 10, 2020
Khan:
The Detroit Red Wings addressed one of their primary needs Saturday, signing goaltender Thomas Greiss to a two-year deal that carries a $3.6 million cap hit.
Greiss, 34, had a solid season as Semyon Varlamov’s backup with the New York Islanders, going 16-9-4 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. The native of Germany is coming off a three-year contract with a $3.33 million cap hit.
Greiss will compete for playing time with Jonathan Bernier. The Red Wings opted not to re-sign Jimmy Howard after he struggled through his worst season.
?? pic.twitter.com/2KnadFrYBs— Brittney Greiss (@BrittneyGreiss1) October 10, 2020
Wonder if this is expansion draft protection. Pushing the actual money to the second year makes it less palatable for Seattle should the Wings pick up another goalie they feel like they need to protect between now and then. Or if it’s just that he’s expected to start next year https://t.co/YqvRFD4tgX— DetroitHockey.Net (@detroithockey96) October 10, 2020
Confirmed: Thomas Greiss (G) | New York Islanders -> Detroit Red Wings | https://t.co/Ci5R9VKr4u #NHL— EP Transfers (@ep_transfers) October 10, 2020
2022 Detroit UFAs:
Robby Fabbri
Frans Nielsen
Riley Barber
Danny DeKeyser
Thomas Greiss— CapFriendly Depth Charts (@CF_DepthCharts) October 10, 2020
TSN:
Thomas Greiss is headed to the Motor City.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Greiss and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a two-year deal that carries an average annual value of $3.6 million.
LeBrun adds that Greiss will receive $2.8 million in his first season and $4.4 in year two.
The 34-year-old has spent the last five seasons with the New York Islanders, appearing in 31 games for the team last year. He recorded a goals-against average of 2.74 and a save percentage of .913 in 2019-20.
Greiss has also appeared in games for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks since being selected in the third round of the 2004 draft.
Via Paul at Kukla’s Korner:
You have to be really impressed with this mans work both on the ice and in the community. Look at the comments from fans and the respect he gained. You have one chance to make good 1st impression. He’s done it wherever he’s been. https://t.co/MDC5wDWxky— Darren R Pang (@Panger40) October 10, 2020
Good luck to ex-@NYIslanders #ThomasGreiss. His smiling face will be missed. He was a dedicated all-team guy and hope his @DetroitRedWings gig works out. Sayonara, pal.— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) October 10, 2020
Now ex-#Isles G Thomas Greiss on his Instagram account: “My time on Long Island was the best portion of my career. From the fans to ownership – I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Although there were ups and downs, New York became my home.”— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 10, 2020
Steve Yzerman addressed the biggest need for the Detroit Red Wings by signing goaltender Thomas Greiss on Saturday.
Jimmy Howard’s struggles last season left the Wings in need of someone to stabilize things in net, and the answer was found in a two-year, $7.2 million deal with Greiss. The German netminder most recently played for the New York Islanders and has nearly 300 NHL games on his resume.
Greiss, 34, has posted a save percentage above .900 in nine of his last 10 seasons. In 282 games split among the San Jose Sharks (who drafted Greiss at 94th in 2004), the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Islanders, Greiss has a 2.63 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.
Fantasy Take: Greiss To Detroit Ice, Baby https://t.co/Vku84NylxL pic.twitter.com/NAnKP9tsWe— Dobber (@DobberHockey) October 10, 2020
New Red Wings G Thomas Greiss also, via Instagram, thanks current #Isles coaching staff and Lou Lamoriello for “developing my skill to a new level.” Also thanks late owner Charles Wang for opportunity “and most of all the fans who supported me throughout.”— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 10, 2020
Last season with the Islanders, Greiss played 31 games with a 16-9-4 record, 2.74 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.
In a free agent market that was being rapidly picked apart with signings, Greiss, arguably, was the most experienced and best option available for general manager Steve Yzerman and the Wings.
Greiss forms a veteran tandem with Jonathan Bernier, who appeared to cement the No. 1 job with the Wings last season.
Greiss was Yzerman’s third free agent signing in the past two days.
Friday, the Wings added forward Bobby Ryan and defenseman Jon Merrill (Grand Blanc/Michigan) as free agent acquisitions.
The Wings would like to add one more forward and defenseman, either through the free agent or trade market.
That’s pretty good money for Greiss; didn’t think he’d land that close to Crawford. That leaves Dell as probably the top UFA goalie on the market, depending on what Miller decides to do. https://t.co/1NCuwMnwIx— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) October 10, 2020
Via Gregg Krupa:
Greiss signs w/ DET for 2 yrs at $3.6 mil/yr
He’s been up and down over the past seven years, including ten goals more than expected based on his workload last season. At 34 y.o., he’s usually a good backup and he and Bernier seem likely to split starts.https://t.co/bJGC49Qc9U pic.twitter.com/Al6xT5QXsn— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) October 10, 2020
Another goalie off the #NHLFreeAgency list! Thomas Greiss has signed with the @DetroitRedWings.
MORE ➡️ https://t.co/5JDh9XABeO pic.twitter.com/RNgEdQCdFw— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2020
Just like that we are off on our next chapter. @DetroitRedWings here we come ? pic.twitter.com/oKHvuGq61C— Brittney Greiss (@BrittneyGreiss1) October 10, 2020
Happy to have you! ❤️— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 10, 2020
Update: Here’s the Wings’ Greiss presser:
Red Wings agree to terms with free agent goaltender Thomas Greiss
2019 Jennings Trophy recipient agrees to two-year deal in Detroit
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today agreed to terms with goaltender Thomas Greiss on a two-year contract.
Greiss, 34, has logged 11 NHL seasons since 2007-08 with the San Jose Sharks, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders, owning a career 137-90-28 record with a 2.63 goals-against average, 0.915 save percentage and 13 shutouts. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound netminder posted a winning record in all five of his seasons with the Islanders, where he played 193 of his 282 career NHL games. Greiss posted career-best numbers in 2018-19 with a 2.28 goals-against average, 0.927 save percentage and five shutouts alongside a 23-14-2 record in 43 games, earning him a share of the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals against alongside then-teammate Robin Lehner. In 2019-20, Greiss appeared in 31 games for New York, sporting a 16-9-4 record, 2.74 goals-against average and 0.913 save percentage. He also appeared in four games during the team’s run to the 2020 Eastern Conference Final, going 2-2 with a 2.02 goals-against average, 0.929 save percentage and one shutout, and he has a 7-8 career mark in 17 postseason games.
The Fussen, Germany, native was originally drafted by San Jose in the third round (94th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Greiss spent parts of four seasons with the Worcester Sharks in the American Hockey League between 2006-09 and in 2012-13, where he notched a 74-61-0 record with a 2.71 goals-against average, 0.904 save percentage and one shutout in 142 games. Greiss has also played parts of five seasons professionally in Europe, seeing time with the Cologne Sharks (2003-06) and Hannover Scorpions (2012-13) in Germany’s top professional league and appearing in 32 games with Brynas in the Swedish Hockey League in 2010-11. Additionally, he has made numerous appearances on the international stage for Germany as one of six German-born goaltenders in NHL history, notably helping his country earn two promotions to the top division at the 2004 and 2006 IIHF World Junior Championships and seeing time in four games during the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. He also backstopped the Germans in back-to-back IIHF World Championships in 2016 and 2017 and represented Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup, where they finished as runners-up.
Thomas Greiss, Goalie
Born Jan 29 1986 — Fussen, Germany
Height 6.02 — Weight 232 — Shoots L
Selected by San Jose Sharks round 3 #94 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft
New Wings G Thomas Greiss said it was in back of mind he was in last year of deal with #Isles but never the focus during games.
Said he had good communication with Lou Lamoriello: “We always talked. There were no secrets on either side. In the end that’s how it played out for us”— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) October 10, 2020
Update: Here’s the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan on Greiss…
Coming to the rebuilding Red Wings — from a playoff-making Islanders team — will be a dramatic change, but one Greiss is excited about.
“For sure it’s a different outlook, coming from the Islanders, but we had some tough times there, too,” Greiss said. “I’m looking forward for a new challenge and new environment, new team, and playing hockey.”
Last season with the Islanders, Greiss played 31 games with a 16-9-4 record, 2.74 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. With the Islanders up against the salary cap and bringing in a top goaltending prospect within their organization, Greiss understood his days on Long Island might be numbered.
But Detroit appealed to Greiss in a variety of ways, and he feels his veteran presence can help the young Wings roster.
“Mostly experience,” said Greiss, of what attributes he can benefit the Wings. “I’ve been in the league a number of years now and played on numerous different teams (with) different outlooks, and different success. How to navigate a long season and just be there for the young guys and help the guys be as successful as we can.”
Update: Here’s more Khan on Greiss:
The Red Wings signed Greiss to a two-year, $7.2 million deal Saturday ($3.6 million cap hit). This will be a huge upgrade from the dreadful season Jimmy Howard experienced last season. Greiss figures to compete with Jonathan Bernier and will certainly improve the Red Wings’ goaltending situation.
“I think we’re both very competitive guys and I’m looking forward to competing with him,” Greiss said. “We had the same goalie coach (Adam Francilia) back in the day and I’m really looking forward to playing with him and heard good things about him.”
Greiss, 34, is coming off a solid season as Semyon Varlamov’s backup, going 16-9-4 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.
But the Islanders needed to make room for highly touted prospect Ilya Sorokin, 25.
Greiss (6-2, 232) isn’t fazed to be joining a rebuilding team after coming from an Islanders club that won four playoff series over the past two seasons and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals this year.
“I’ve been in the league for a number of years now and have played on numerous different teams with different outlooks and different successes,” Greiss said. “I know how to navigate a long season, be there for the young guys and help the guys be as successful as we can.”
He added, “I think it’s a good, young team, I think they have a very good future,” I trust (general manager) Stevie Yzerman, that he’s going to do a great job.”
Update: Here’s more on Greiss from the Free Press’s Helene St. James:
Goalie Thomas Greiss joined the effort to help the Wings top their 17 victories from last season, agreeing to a two year, $7.2 million deal Saturday. Yzerman was busy as free agency opened, also adding right-shot defenseman Troy Stecher, a day after signing forward Bobby Ryan and defensemen Jon Merrill.
Greiss, 34, most recently played for the New York Islanders. He was in net for the Islanders when the Wings lost, 8-2, there last January.
The Wings’ 2019-20 struggles to score and defend do not daunt Greiss.
“I think it’s a good young team,” he said Saturday. “I think they have a very good future and I trust Stevie Yzerman, that he is going to do a great job.”
Greiss has appeared in 282 NHL games with the Sharks (who drafted Greiss at No. 94 in 2004), the Coyotes, Penguins and Islanders, posting a 2.63 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.
He’ll share the net with Jonathan Bernier, who is entering the last year of his contract.
I like this signing. He & Bernier should make a solid tandem. Of course, they will definitely have their work cut out for them.