Detroit — Once learning of the Red Wings’ interest in him, signing with the Wings was an easy decision for new defenseman Ben Chiarot.
This wasn’t a case of returning home, but close to home. There are plenty of relatives across the bridge in Windsor. Chiarot grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and currently is living in Kitchener, both several hours away.
Those family connections, along with the opportunity to wear an Original Six jersey of a team Chiarot followed living in Ontario, quickly moved him to become a Red Wing on July 13, the first day of free agency.
“A team that’s on the rise, built by (general manager) Steve Yzerman, and a place that’s close to home for my family, it’s a great spot for me,” Chiarot said. “It’s good for me with a young family; there’s a number of factors that played into it. I grew up in Hamilton and it was hard not to follow the Wings when they were winning a Stanley Cup every couple of years. There are a lot of Wings fans in my area, and good memories watching them back then.
“Once I knew Detroit was interested, and my agent and (Yzerman) were able to work out a deal, that was a pretty easy choice for me.”
The Wings and Chiarot, 31, agreed to a four-year contract worth $19 million ($4.75 million cap hit), notably strengthening the Wings’ defense in several ways.
Yzerman was intent on rebuilding the left side of the Wings’ defense, along with adding some physicality and snarl. Chiarot and fellow free agent Olli Maatta should complement Moritz Seider and Filip Hronek nicely in a revamped top-four defense.
“Kind of defense-first defensemen, bigger bodies, they get in the way, and are kind of hard to play against,” Yzerman said of Chiarot and Maatta. “I don’t know what (coach) Derek (Lalonde) will ultimately decide, but I would expect those two guys will play with Moritz and Filip (Hronek), they’re good complements for them.
“They’re big guys, have good length, defend pretty well, can block shots and are big bodies that are hard to play against.”
Lalonde hasn’t offered any lineup projections, but pairing Chiarot with Seider, with the reigning NHL Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) could be intriguing. Chiarot’s physical, defense-first style could blend well with the developing, and talented, Seider.
Chiarot spoke glowingly of Seider upon Chiarot signing with the Wings, especially Seider’s willingness to play an edgy style.
“An impressive young defenseman,” Chiarot said of Seider. “He does kind of everything real well. He plays a physical style, which you don’t see a ton of anymore with young guys coming in, and with an edge. Moritz doesn’t back down out there.
“He was a fun guy to watch and I’m looking forward to getting out there with him.”
Chiarot understands his abrasive style is what the Wings likely want.
“That’s kind of been my identity in the league since I came in, as a guy who’s hard to play against, makes life difficult for opposing forwards,” Chiarot said. “That’s why I think the Red Wings are bringing me in.”
Chiarot played in 74 games between Montreal and Florida — the Panthers acquired Chiarot from Montreal at the trade deadline for forward Tyler Smilanic, a 2023 first-round pick and 2022 fourth-round pick. Chiarot had nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points, with a minus-14 rating and 48 penalty minutes.
Having been in the Stanley Cup Finals with Montreal the season before, and part of the Presidents Trophy-winning (NHL’s best record) Panthers last season, Chiarot is excited about what the Wings are building.
After being part of two championship-caliber rosters, Chiarot feels the Wings have the ingredients to grow toward something similar.
“A lot of good, young players, (they) obviously just needed some help, a little more depth,” Chiarot said. “That’s what they’ve done, bring in some veteran guys to kind of help along the younger guys. It should be a nice mix for us.
“As a player, you always want your team to be adding pieces and trying to get better, and Steve definitely tried to do that. (Forward) Andrew Copp is a guy I played with in Winnipeg, a great forward and person, and (forward Dominik) Kubalik, there’s a lot of good players added to the team. It’s exciting for myself and all the guys on the team when you have your team take steps forward (with the personnel additions).”
ted.kulfan@detriotnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan