The Detroit Red Wings bolstered their depth on defense by signing Ian White and Mike Commodore last week. This week they have bolstered their defensive depth in Grand Rapids by signing defensemen Garnet Exelby and Logan Pyett to one-year deals.

Pyett was selected by the Red Wings 212th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the past three seasons in Grand Rapids with the Griffins and was a restricted free agent this offseason. By re-signing with the team, Pyett will spend at least one more year in Grand Rapids.

Exelby is a much more experienced player than Pyett. Exelby played with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2003 to 2009 and spent the 2009-10 season with the Maple Leafs. Last year, he played exclusively in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, and now he is expected to do the same with the Griffins in the 2011-12 season.

While both of these players could theoretically play with the Red Wings in the event of a rash of injuries, neither is expected to spend time in Detroit.