Photo: Detroit News

Darren Helm isn’t departing from Hockeytown anytime soon.

The Red Wings locked up the 25-year-old forward to a four-year deal worth $8.5 million, it was announced on Tuesday.

Helm, who scored 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 68 games last season with Detroit, was due to become a a restricted free agent on July 1.

Helm struggled with a knee sprain in the last 10 games of the regular season.

After making an appearance in the first game of the playoffs, Helm suffered a lacerated right forearm tendon just a few minutes into the game. Helm is expected to be ready for training camp in September.

“Darren is an important part of our team, and we’re very happy that we’ve reached an agreement,” said general manager Ken Holland. ”He’s one of the fastest skaters in the game, and we love the physical element that he brings. He’s an outstanding penalty killer and the ideal third-line center for us behind Pavel (Datsyuk) and Henrik (Zetterberg).

“We really missed him when he was out of the lineup in March and April.”

Forward Justin Abdelkader and defenseman Kyle Quincey remain the Wings’ other restricted free agents.

The Red Wings signed defenseman Jonathan Ericsson to a three-year contract extension on Thursday.

With free agency looming just one day away, the Detroit Red Wings locked up one of their defensive commodities in defenseman Jonathan Ericsson with a three-year contract extension on Thursday.

The deal is worth an estimated $9.75 million, with $3.25 million being dealt per year.

That sum is a big step up from the $1.25 million that the 27-year-old Ericsson made last season.

While he showed some strength in the 2009 playoffs, Ericsson struggled mightily this past year, finishing the season with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and a minus-15 rating.

Interesting to note, Ericsson will be making more than defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who will make $3 million headed into the final year of his contract. Talks of a contract extension should begin once training camp commences in September.

If Detroit cannot find a top four defenseman in free agency, Ericsson’s role in the 2011-12 season should be increased.

Now that Ericsson is being paid like a top defenseman, the Wings expect him to play like one.

Jimmy Howard and the Red Wings agreed to a 2-year contract extension worth $4.5 million.

The Red Wings and goalie Jimmy Howard agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $4.5 million on Monday afternoon. Howard was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

“He’s won almost 70 games for us in two years,” general manager Ken Holland said. “He was runner-up as rookie of the year last year. We’re very pleased to be keeping him in a Red Wings uniform.”

The 26-year old Howard is 30-12-3 with a 2.79 goals-against average and .908 save percentage this season. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) last season and made the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.

Howard has seen his share of struggles in December and January, allowing a combined eight goals in two games, but has since then had a great resurgence in February. While he does allow goals he has been a proven winner for Detroit.

The Wings aren’t expected to make a move before the trade deadline on Monday afternoon, with Howard’s extension and Chris Osgood’s impending return.

Howard will be in net on Monday night when the Wings take on the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 P.M.

Mursak's extension will keep him under contract through 2012-2013.

Rookie forward Jan Mursak has been signed to a two-year contract extension, the Detroit Red Wings official website announced on Friday. The extension will keep Mursak under contract through the 2012-2013 season. Additional terms of the deal are not made available at this time.

In 17 games with the Red Wings, in two separate stints, Mursak has scored his first NHL goal and has averaged an ice time of 8:13.

Mursak was reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday after sustaining a big toe injury during a game back on Feb. 5, which left him on the club’s injured reserve. He was deemed healthy enough to return to action for the Griffins on Thursday.

With the Griffins, Mursak has 25 points (11-14-25) in 36 games this season.