DETROIT -- Defenseman Jiri Fischer knows what his first purchase will be after signing his first professional contract Wednesday with the Red Wings.

"I was thinking about a truck," said Fischer, 19, of the Czech Republic, who signed a three-year, $2.925-million deal. "I like the speed (of faster cars), but there some limits on the road in the U.S. I wouldn't be able to use it as much."

Fischer's signing ensured him a spot on the final roster. If he had not been signed by 3 p.m. Wednesday (the sides reached agreement at 2:58 p.m.), he would have been sent to Hull of the Quebec League for the season.

"Hull is a great city, but great for juniors," Fischer said. "Detroit is great for the NHL. Big difference."

Fischer is on the final roster along with Yan Golubovsky because the Wings kept eight defensemen to open the season. They also kept forwards Yuri Butsayev and Marc Rodgers.

Forwards Darryl Laplante and Philippe Audet and defensemen Jesse Wallin and Maxim Kuznetsov were sent to the minors.

Goalie Manny Legace was placed on waivers, and was to be assigned to Manitoba of the International Hockey League if no one claimed him by noon today. The Wings also are thinking about signing forward Randy Burridge.

But the biggest news was Fischer's signing. He is considered the best prospect in the organization.

"We felt he had accomplished everything in the Quebec League, and it was time for him to take the next step," General Manager Ken Holland said.

"Maybe he won't play as much as he could have (in juniors), but to be around our hockey team every day, to practice at a high level, we feel will pay big dividends in the long run."