Red Wings Re-Sign Veteran D Man

The Detroit Red Wings decided to prevent Ben Chiarot, 34, from testing his value on this summer’s NHL free agent market by signing him to a three-year contract extension.

His average salary on the new deal, which begins next season, is $3.85 million per season. That’s reflects a $1 million per season pay cut. The salary reflects his age, not his performance level. The pay cut recognizes the risk involved in signing players entering their mid-30s. Players will sometimes less per season to get an extra year on a deal.

Chiarot has proven his value with consistent play in a variety of roles with a variety of defensive partners.

“There’s a million reasons (to sign),” Chiarot said. “Team. First of all, and what goes on on the ice. The people here, the trainers, equipment, staff, guys on the team, coaches, everybody. I really enjoy coming to the rink every day. Made it really easy so you can come back here. We love Detroit. My family’s really happy here from all angles. It was a no brainer.”

Ben Chiarot, extended 3x$3.9M by DET, is a physical veteran defenceman. Despite having good size, decent mobility, and some puck-carrying ability, his team tends to get completely wrecked when he's on the ice and his partners tend to fare much worse next to him. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/npltmqttg3

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 28, 2026

Mentors Axel Sandin-Pellikka

Chiarot has been paired with Moritz Seider in the past, but this season he has served as defensive partner and mentor to rookie defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka. Even with Sandin-Pellikka making rookie mistakes, Chiarot is plus-one on the season.

He’s a 230-pound physical defender who is second on the Red Wings in blocked shots (113) and hits (109). He averages 21:07 minutes per game.   Chiarot has four goals and seven assists for 11 points.

Chiarot extends in Detroit rather than going to market – big for the Red Wings as he's needed both on the ice & in the room.

AAV is great & 3rd year of term was probably the price for the lower AAV & early extension.

Great (& necessary) deal for the Red Wings blue line. #LGRW https://t.co/I0o80dBOg4

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) January 28, 2026

Chiarot likes his role as a veteran and mentor for younger players.

“I think just naturally over time, being a guy with experience and younger players coming in kind of behind you,  you try and, lend your experiences,” Chiarot said. “Naturally sort of just become the older guy, kind of imparting a little bit of what you know onto them. And it’s kind of just been a natural process just by being one of the older guys.”

Chiarot remembering older players helping him when he was young.

“Kevin Bieksa was a big one when I was young,” Chiarot said. “Dustin Byfuglien was my first partner. Mark Stuart, who coaches with Edmonton, they were all kind of instrumental in who I became as a pro. Was lucky I had good guys like that around me when I was young.”