DETROIT – Restricted free agent Derek Meech and the Red Wings averted salary arbitration when the defenseman signed a one-year contract to remain with the club.

Meech, who played the last three seasons with the Wings, had filed for salary arbitration earlier this month.

As a role player, the 26-year-old Meech has four goals and 12 assists in 126 regular-season games for the Wings. The versatile defenseman has often filled a valuable role for the team, moving up to play a forward position whenever coach Mike Babcock’s line-up as had a void.

Last season, Meech had two goals and four assists in 49 games. Both goals were game-winners against Phoenix (Dec. 14) and at San Jose (Feb. 2). He played in his 100th career game last Dec. 28 at Columbus.

Last season was also a season of firsts for Meech, who logged his first multi-point game with two assists in a 4-3 win at Minnesota (Jan. 21), and his first fighting major against Anaheim forward Petteri Nokelainen.

Restricted free agent forwards Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm are yet unsigned.