07/28/2006

Red Wings, Williams ink contract

Forward agrees to two-year deal after career highs

The Associated Press
Jason Williams signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

DETROIT (AP) — Jason Williams signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

Williams will have a chance to be on one of Detroit's top forwards with the departure of Brendan Shanahan, who signed with the New York Rangers, and because of Steve Yzerman's retirement.

Williams had career highs last season with 20 goals, 58 points and 80 games. Getting an opportunity to play a key role for the first time, Williams had 13 points in the first 10 games and was the first Red Wing to score three times in a period since the 1996-97 season. He was a restricted free agent.

"We are pleased to reach a deal with Jason before going to arbitration," Red Wings Ken Holland said in a statement. "He took a big step forward as a NHL player last year and we look forward to even more progress in the future."

Is Williams ready to play on one of Detroit's top two lines?

"We think so, and we're about to find out," Holland said.

Williams, who will turn 26 before the season starts in October, made his NHL debut during the 2000-01 season when he played five games for the Red Wings. The London, Ontario, native played 25 games during the 2001-02 season, 16 the next and 49 the following season.