Darren Helm signs new contract with Red Wings

DETROIT (AP) -- Darren Helm has agreed to an $8.5 million, four-year deal to remain with the Detroit Red Wings.

Helm, a 25-year-old center, had nine goals and 17 assists in 68 games last season. He had surgery on a tendon in his right arm after he was hurt in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series against Nashville. The Red Wings lost in five games.

"Darren is an important part of our team and we're very happy that we've reached an agreement," general manager Ken Holland said. "He's one of the fastest skaters in the game and we love the physical element that he brings. He's an outstanding penalty killer and the ideal third-line center for us behind Pavel (Datsyuk) and Henrik (Zetterberg).

"We really missed him when he was out of the lineup in March and April."

Helm also missed the final 10 games of the regular season in 2012 after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee March 17 in a collision with San Jose's Dominic Moore. Helm returned for the playoffs but hurt himself again.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of training camp in September.

Helm was drafted in the fifth round by Detroit in 2005. He had a career-high 12 goals and 32 points in 2010-11.

He has 16 points in 65 career postseason games.

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