Red Wings re-sign G Howard, D Ericsson

Jul 21, 2008 - 4:54 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings on Monday re-signed goaltender Jimmy Howard and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson to three-year contract extensions.

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, but according to information posted on the NHL Players' Association web site, Howard will earn $600,000 next season and Ericsson will make $550,000.

Howard, Detroit's first pick (64th overall) in the 2003 draft, posted a 2.18 goals-against-average in four games with the Red Wings during the 2007-08 regular season. In his third season with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League, Howard finished with a 2.83 GAA in 54 games.

The 24-year-old Howard is expected to be in the goaltending mix for the Red Wings next season. Veteran goaltender Dominik Hasek retired last month, but Chris Osgood, who led Detroit to the Stanley Cup last season will be back in net, and veteran Ty Conklin was signed July 1 to a one-year contract.

Ericsson, 24, played in eight regular season games with Detroit, tallying one goal. He posted 10 goals and 24 assists in 69 games during his second season with Grand Rapids.