Posted by Matt Schwartz

11:34AM - Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ansar Khan of MLive.com is reporting that the Red Wings and center Kris Draper are finalizing a three-year contract extension to keep the 2004 Selke winner in Detroit through 2011. Khan notes in the article that the two sides are so close that a deal could be reached this weekend -- and no later than the end of October.

"It's certainly Kenny Holland (Red Wings general manager) showing a lot of confidence in me right now," Draper told reporters Wednesday. "Hopefully, things can get worked out here sooner than later. It's no secret this is where I want to be and certainly where I'd love to finish my career."

Draper is currently in the final season of a four-year contract that will pay him $2.128-million this season.