Dear Red Wings: Forward Carter Rowney signs for 1 year

The Detroit Red Wings signed another forward this week in what is clearly a depth pickup before training camp starts.

Carter Rowney adds depth

Carter Rowney is a 32-year-old center/winger who spent the past three seasons playing for the Anaheim Ducks. He won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.

He was part of a struggling Anaheim team the past few seasons. He failed to score a goal last year through 19 games with the Ducks. He was averaging about 14 minutes of ice time a game. Rowney played center when he was with the Penguins, but he was lining up on the wing with the Ducks.

He was undrafted out of the University of North Dakota and signed with Pittsburgh’s AHL squad in 2013. He’s now appeared in 223 NHL games -- 20 goals and 37 assists.

Obviously this is a depth pickup as the Red Wings prepare for training camp. His one-year deal is reportedly $825,000 against the cap. In other words, it’s nothing. Steve Yzerman needs some pros to fill out his camp rosters and to provide depth between Grand Rapids and the NHL roster.

Rowney can be plugged into the 3rd or 4th lines without much concern about his development or defensive liability. This adds some more competition for the young forward prospects, but Yzerman has made it clear he’d rather not use the likes of Joe Veleno, Jonatan Berggren or Lucas Raymond as a “plug.”

Remember, the Red Wings let Luke Glendening and Darren Helm leave. I think they’re still concerned about not having actual NHL depth down the lineup. Yzerman said we should expect more young players to have bigger roles on this team, but there is only so far we can expect him to go right now. Those players have to make the team. What if they’re not ready?

Training camp is about two weeks away -- the prospects tournament gets going Sept. 16, followed by camp on Sept. 23.

Previously:

• Petruzzelli signs AHL contract with Toronto Marlies
• Filppula goes to Switzerland, Veleno works out
• Nielsen buyout, Svechnikov’s new AHL contract, Verbeek’s second job
• Adam Erne, one of ‘Yzerman’s guys,’ is heart-and-soul player for Detroit
• Vrana and the burgeoning, albeit short-term, offense; awaiting Hronek deal
• Suter joins core; Detroit remains way under cap
• View: Detroit Red Wings 2021 NHL Entry Draft picks
• Kraken grab Cholowski
• Welcome, Nick Leddy
• Ken Holland strikes, Kucherov calls Larionov, and a quiz
• Tanguay joins coaching staff; Chelios to ESPN
• Gallant goes to Rangers; coaches quiz time
• Recalling the magical 2012-13 playoff run with two epic game 7s
• May 31, 2002 -- Red Wings score 7 goals vs. Avalanche in Game 7
• Chris Osgood -- Hall of Famer?
• Jack Eichel -- could Yzerman add him?
• Veleno, Rasmussen showing promise down the middle
• Trading Anthony Mantha was more than Red Wings fans could ask for at deadline

Free agency moves recap:

• Aug. 15: Adam Erne signs 2-year contract with Red Wings
• Aug. 10: Jakub Vrana signs three-year contract with Red Wings
• Aug. 5: Center Chase Pearson stays with Red Wings
• July 31: Red Wings sign Tyler Bertuzzi to two-year contract extension
• July 30: Red Wings acquire Mitchell Stephens in trade with Tampa for 6th-round pick
• July 29: Red Wings bring back Luke Witkowski on two-year deal
• July 29: Red Wings bring back defenseman Dan Renouf on one-year deal
• July 29: Darren Helm leaving Red Wings, signs with Avalanche
• July 28: Red Wings sign center Pius Suter to two-year contract
• July 28: Red Wings sign Michigan native D Jordan Oesterle to two-year contract
• July 28: Red Wings sign D Ryan Murphy to one-year contract extension
• July 28: Report: Luke Glendening leaving Red Wings, signing with Dallas Stars

Pre-free agency moves recap:

• July 28: Red Wings sign goalie Calvin Pickard to one-year contract extension
• July 28: Red Wings sign center Sam Gagner to one-year contract extension
• July 27: Red Wings sign left wing Taro Hirose to contract extension
• July 27: Red Wings sign center Kyle Criscuolo to contract extension
• July 26: Gustav Lindstrom signs two-year deal
• July 25: Marc Staal signs for another season
• July 22: Alex Nedeljkovic signs 2-year contract with Red Wings after trade