Wings Sign Five

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A busy day of free agent signings on Friday for the Detroit Red Wings.  The Wings re-signed forward Darren Helm and defensemen Alexey Marchenko prior to the noon free agent league wide open market.  Helm got a five year deal worth $3.85 million annually, while Marchenko got a two year deal worth $2.9 million total.  In the open market, the Wings added three forwards.  Frans Nielson signed a six year, $31.5 million deal.  The veteran center is the expected replacement for Pavel Datsyuk, who retired to return to his native Russia.  Thomas Vanek received a one year deal, worth $2.6.  The former 40 goal scorer played in Minnesota last season.  Another vet, Steve Ott, got a one year deal, worth $800 thousand.  Ott played in St. Louis last year.