DETROIT -- Ruslan Salei, a player who forces opponents to look over their shoulders, will give the Detroit Red Wings a gritty, physical presence on their third defense pairing.

In return, the Red Wings afford Salei an opportunity to win his first Stanley Cup.

Anaheim's first-round pick in '96 (ninth overall), Salei signed with Florida as a free agent in July 2006, the year before the Ducks won the Cup.

He hopes his timing is right this time.

Salei was reminded of the Red Wings' history and tradition when he walked into the dressing room for the first time Tuesday and saw the walls lined with photos of legendary players.

"It's an honor to be here," Salei said. "Look at this, all these Cups, all the players that play on this team, it's legendary, it's a dynasty. I'm really excited to be a part of it."

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock's familiarity with Salei -- he coached him in Anaheim from 2002-04 -- was one of the reasons Detroit signed the 35-year-old to a one-year, incentive-laden $750,000 deal last month.

"He's a really intense guy," Salei said. "We had our ups and downs. We had some nice conversations and maybe not so nice. Overall, I think he made me a better player. I'm pretty excited to play for him again."

Babcock also is glad to be reunited with "Rusty."

"He's a real good man, real good veteran player, competes hard. He's a passionate guy, a good teammate," Babcock said. "He'll be real solid for us, give us another real good penalty killer who pursues and closes and makes you pay a price."

Salei has crossed the line before. Eleven years ago, his check from behind gave then-Dallas Stars center Mike Modano a concussion, broken nose and strained neck ligaments. Salei was suspended for 10 games.

Now, they are teammates and it's all water under the bridge.

.

"I haven't gotten the chance to officially apologize to him," Salei said. "I probably will as soon as I see him so we can put that behind us. I don't think it's something that would stay between us. I don't think it's going to affect our relationship in any way."

Salei (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) said he feels good after back surgery limited him to 14 games with the Colorado Avalanche last year.

"It's been rough year. It's been first time in my career I've missed so much time," he said. "Hopefully, it's all healed and it's all good and I'm not going to have any problems with my health."

Salei likely will be paired with Jonathan Ericsson, who hopes to rebound after a rough season.

"I think it's going to help Johnny if they're paired together," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "Salei can stay at home a little more and Johnny can join the rush. Just having that experience on his side will help Johnny."

Lidstrom called Salei a tough player to play against.

"He's gritty and he brings that aspect of the game that we need on the back end," Lidstrom said. "He's a good skater, a good puck mover. He can play on the power play, if needed. He'll be out there killing penalties. So all around, he's going to help us."

Salei played with Todd Bertuzzi briefly in Florida at the start of the 2006-07 season but said he is not close to anybody on the Red Wings. The native of Minsk, Belarus, does know Pavel Datsyuk, however.

"We talk Russian together and we bring that kind of camaraderie," Salei said.