Ville Leino signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Red Wings, today, that is for a salary cap hit of $800,000.

Leino was originally signed by the Red Wings in 2008 as a free agent after being second in the Finnish elite league in scoring. Leino had a great preseason with the Red Wings, but was sent to Grand Rapids to help protect other Red Wings from going through waivers. Coach Mike Babcock called it the toughest preseason demotion that he's been a part of.

Leino spent the bulk of last season with Grand Rapids, but got in 13 regular-season games with Detroit. He played seven games in the playoffs with the Red Wings.

With a one-way contract, Leino, 25, increases his likelihood of staying in Detroit this fall.

"We liked him in camp," said Detroit general manager Ken Holland. "He had a real good preseason. He was real good in Grand Rapids up until January, then he lost a little interest. He didn't want to be there. He was great for us in the 12, 13 games he played. He was good for us in the playoffs. He plays our style. He hangs onto the puck. He goes into the hard areas. Obviously we like him if we signed him to a one-way contract."