The Detroit Red Wings are locking in some veteran stability on the blue line, signing defenseman Ben Chiarot to a three-year contract extension that will keep him in the fold through the 2028-29 season. The deal carries an average annual value of $3.85 million-down from his current salary by about a million per year, a nod to his age but not necessarily a knock on his performance.
At 34, Chiarot isn’t the flashy, puck-moving defenseman who’ll light up a scoresheet, but he’s carved out a valuable role in Detroit’s defensive rotation. He’s the kind of player who brings physicality, experience, and a willingness to do the dirty work-blocking shots, clearing the crease, and mentoring younger teammates. That kind of presence doesn’t always show up in advanced analytics, but it matters in a locker room and across an 82-game grind.
This season, Chiarot has taken on a new challenge: helping bring along rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka, one of the Red Wings’ top young prospects. The two have been paired regularly, with Chiarot acting as a steadying influence while Sandin Pellikka navigates the ups and downs of his first NHL campaign. Despite the expected growing pains that come with a rookie defenseman, Chiarot has managed to stay on the positive side of the plus-minus ledger, sitting at plus-one on the year.
Physically, Chiarot remains a force. At 230 pounds, he’s second on the team in both blocked shots (113) and hits (109), and he’s logging over 21 minutes a night. That workload speaks volumes about the trust Detroit’s coaching staff has in him, especially considering the variety of roles he’s been asked to play-whether alongside Moritz Seider in past seasons or now with a rookie in tow.
Offensively, he’s chipped in modestly with four goals and seven assists for 11 points. But make no mistake: Chiarot’s value isn’t measured in points. It’s in the minutes he eats, the physical tone he sets, and the mentorship he provides.
By re-signing Chiarot now, the Red Wings avoid the uncertainty of free agency and secure a known quantity for the next three seasons. It’s a deal that balances age and experience, cost and contribution. And for a team still threading the needle between competing now and building for the future, that kind of stability on the back end is worth its weight in gold.