Red Wings Re-Sign Veteran D Man

Ben Chiarot, 34, signs 3-year contract extension with Detroit

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:55pm

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The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot, 34, to a three-year contract extension, keeping him off the upcoming NHL free agent market. The new deal will pay Chiarot an average of $3.85 million per season, a $1 million pay cut from his previous contract.

Why it matters

Chiarot has been a steady presence on the Red Wings' blue line, providing physical play, defensive reliability, and veteran leadership. Retaining him helps provide stability and mentorship for the team's younger defensemen.

The details

Chiarot has been paired with rising star Moritz Seider in the past, and this season has served as a defensive partner and mentor to rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka. Despite Sandin-Pellikka's occasional mistakes, Chiarot has remained a plus-one player. He leads the Red Wings in blocked shots (113) and hits (109), averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game.

  • The new 3-year contract extension begins next season (2026-27).

The players

Ben Chiarot

A 34-year-old veteran defenseman who has played a key role on the Detroit Red Wings' blue line.

Moritz Seider

A rising star defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings who has previously been paired with Chiarot.

Axel Sandin Pellikka

A rookie defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings who has been mentored by Chiarot this season.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— JFresh (Twitter)

The takeaway

Retaining Chiarot's veteran presence and leadership on the Red Wings' blue line is a prudent move, even with the slight pay cut, as he continues to mentor the team's younger defensemen and provide steady, physical play in his mid-30s.