Tomas Nosek Wild

Tomas Nosek appeared in six games for the Red Wings in 2015-16.

(AP file photo)

DETROIT -Tomas Nosek won't compile impressive statistics, but he is responsible defensively. And that's why he appears to have a future in the NHL.

The Detroit Red Wings signed Nosek to a two-year contract on Friday.

Nosek, 23, is projected as a checking-line center in the NHL. He had 15 goals and 15 assists in 70 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins this past season. He had one point (a goal) in nine playoff games.

The first year is a two-way deal ($575,000 NHL salary, $150,000 AHL salary) and the second year is one way ($650,00).

Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin said the team likes Nosek's size (6-2, 201) and defensive awareness.

"He's a guy that Jeff Blashill has a lot of trust and confidence in because he coached him in the AHL (in 2014-15) and saw how responsible he is," Martin said. "His stat line isn't dazzling, but the coaching staff has confidence in his ability to play defense and be on the right side of the puck. And he's a good penalty killer."

Nosek, a native of the Czech Republic, is exempt from waivers for one more season.

"He's a guy we expect to compete for a job in training camp," Martin said. "He has to continue to work on his strength."

In two seasons with the Griffins, Nosek has tallied 26 goals and 38 assists in 125 games and added three goals and five assists in 21 postseason games.

Nosek appeared in six games for the Red Wings in 2015-16. He had no points.

He will be a restricted free agent when this contract expires in 2018.

The Red Wings have a slew of restricted free agents to sign over the course of the off-season: Petr Mrazek, Danny DeKeyser, Riley Sheahan, Alexey Marchenko, Teemu Pulkkinen on the NHL roster and Jared Coreau, Ryan Sproul, Brian Lashoff, Mitch Callahan, Colin Campbell and Louis-Marc Aubry in Grand Rapids.

Sadowy agrees to terms: The Red Wings and left wing Dylan Sadowy have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract. The club acquired Sadowy on Thursday from the San Jose Sharks for a third-round pick in 2017.

-- Follow MLive Sports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage on Twitter