Detroit — The Red Wings have gotten their first player in free agency.
The Wings signed goaltender James Reimer to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, his representation confirmed.
Reimer, 35, was 12-21-8 with a 3.48 goals-against average and .890 save percentage in 43 games with San Jose.
Reimer was a fourth-round pick of Toronto in 2006 and has played 476 games with 204-169-61 record with a 2.87 GAA and .911 SVS. He’s played in Toronto, Florida, and Carolina, with two tours in San Jose.
Reimer will back up Ville Husso, who played a career-high in games last season and seemed to tire as the season progressed.
Signing Reimer likely closes the door on Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg returning to the organization.
Restricted free agents returning
The Red Wings began Saturday’s first day of free agency bringing back some of their younger, restricted free agents.
The Wings signed forward Klim Kostin to a two-year contract worth $4 million ($2 million per cap hit).
Kostin, 24, was acquired Thursday from Edmonton along with forward Kailer Yamamoto for future considerations. The Wings bought out Yamamoto Friday, making him an unrestricted free agent today.
Kostin is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound winger who projects a physical, checking power forward with some offensive upside. Kostin had 11 goals and 10 assists (21 points) for Edmonton last season, then had an impressive playoffs with the Oilers, with three goals and two assists (five points) in 12 games.
The Wings also re-signed defenseman Gustav Lindstrom to a one-year, $950,000 contract and brought back forward Matt Luff on a one-year, two-way contract (salary dependent on if Luff is with Wings or Grand Rapids). Neither were tendered qualifying offers Friday but were brought back on smaller salaries.
Lindstrom, 24, had one goal and eight points in 36 games, battling injuries and an inability to get consistently into the lineup. Lindstrom is a right-hand shooting defenseman, something the organization is lacking.
Luff, 26, had two goals and two assists (four points) in 20 games with the Wings.
NHL free agency begins Saturday at noon.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan