The Red Wings added more organizational depth today, signing defenseman Travis Ehrhardt to a three-year entry-level contract. Ehrhardt, 20, played in 68 games for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League in 2008-09. He finished the season with 37 points (9-28—37) and 109 PIM. Ehrhardt also appeared in three games for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Ehrhardt was an undrafted free agent and is likely destined for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins this fall.

Yesterday, the Red Wings signed two forwards who played sparingly for the Toronto Maple Leafs over the past three years, center Kris Newbury and right wing Jeremy Williams. Newbury and Williams are older, 27 and 25 respectively. Both were signed to one-year, two-way contracts. They're both on the cusp of the NHL, good AHL players who can step in where there's a void.

Ehrhardt is more of a long-term development. He's just beginning his first season of professional hockey. Obviously with the depth the Wings have on the blue line, including Jakub Kindl in the AHL, there's not much chance of Ehrhardt seeing time in Detroit this season or next. Thus the three-year entry-level contract.