When they finally got him into the lineup on a regular basis, Jake Walman showed what a help he can be to the Detroit Red Wings.
It made sense, therefore, as the Wings announced Tuesday, to ink the 27-year-old defenseman to a three-year, $10.2 million extension; the $3.4 million annual average value fits in well with what Steve Yzerman is trying to do: Build a competitive team while maintaining salary cap flexibility.
Walman originally was acquired in March of last year as part of a trade with the St. Louis Blues, and re-signed last summer for one year.