Detroit Red Wings Sign Jason Williams

Jason Williams is back in Motown.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed the 28-year-old winger to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Williams is returning to the team that gave him his first NHL contract, as Detroit originally signed Williams as an undrafted free-agent in 2000.

He didn't crack the Red Wings lineup as a regular until 2003, but prior to that, the organization felt strongly enough about his value that it petitioned to get his name added to the Cup in 2002, despite not having played a single playoff game that year.

Williams' best season was in 2005-06, Mike Babcock's first in Detroit, when he posted 21 goals and 37 assists in 80 games. Babcock used Williams frequently on the top two lines, and on the point on the powerplay.

However, Williams' production dropped the following season, which prompted a trade to Chicago. He has since played for Atlanta and Columbus.

While Williams has yet to come close to the success he had in the 2005-06 season, the offer by the Red Wings, and his decision to accept it, suggests he still has the ability to contribute offensively.

The signing may not sit all that well with Red Wings fans, however, as Williams was frequently criticized by fans for occasional defensive lapses while manning the point on the powerplay and for his tendency to "take games off."

This signing, along with Patrick Eaves signing earlier this week, likely concludes Detroit's offseason acquisitions as, barring a trade, they are right against the salary cap for next season and now have a full stable of forwards.