Red Wings defenseman Mike Green scored 2 goals and added an assist while playing in yesterday’s All-Star Game, and USA Today’s Kevin Allen suggested that Green was “auditioning” for other teams:
Mike Green’s audition?
“Anybody can get lucky,” Green said when asked about his two goals in the final for the Atlantic. But Green could have also been responding to a question about his next landing spot. Even though Green, who also had an assist in the semifinal, brushed off a comment from a reporter about Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin saying he’d love him to return, Green’s time in Detroit is coming to an end. The Detroit Red Wings defenseman is playing on an expiring contract and could help any contender — even the Lightning, who are in the market for a right-handed shooting blueliner. He will be highly sought after as the Feb. 26 trade deadline nears.
Also of Mike Green-related note:
- The Detroit News’s Tom Gromak posted a video of Green’s post-All-Star Game remarks:
According to RedWings.com, Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who coached the Atlantic, got a text from good friend and Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill after the game.
Blashill: “You needed more Wings.”
Cooper: “He finally got good coaching.”
3. DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji did speak with Green and his Atlantic Division teammates after the game:
Green said he enjoyed spending time with players that he normally played against during the game.
“It was a great time,” Green said. “Like I said earlier, I wanted to really talk to the guys, and it was nice to get to know the guys that I didn’t know. Unfortunately, we didn’t win but we still had a blast.”
Green said he also enjoyed his second All-Star red carpet walk.
“Kind of all the same but obviously fun to be around this sort of event so it’s been good,” Green said. “It’s good to see the kids.”
Green said this All-Star Game was more meaningful to him because his son, Axel, was able to be there to enjoy it. At not quite two, Axel maybe won’t remember everything but Green said he’s had fun.
“To be honest, I think (he liked) the little beach thing we have at the hotel,” Green said. “We took him down there today.”
Wakiji continues, addressing some trade speculation…
3. Green also engaged in a pair of Q and A’s with The Athletic’s Craig Custance, with the first Q and A involving the All-Star Skills Competition…
CC: I know you’ve mentioned there have been no contract talks, but you ultimately control how this plays out. You’ve got the no-trade clause. How much do you expect to enforce it?
Green: This will be my first time in this position. I’m going to have to see what they’re thinking and go from there.
CC: But you have an open mind, right? You’re not like ‘There’s no way I’m waiving it.’
Green: I’m always open-minded. I never close my mind to opportunity. I love it there. It’s a great organization. It’s been a great learning experience as a player and as a person. If anything does happen, I’m grateful for my time there.
CC: Just to be clear, have they come to you about waiving it yet?
Green: No. Not yet. I wish I could give you more. (laughs)
And the second article is focused on the fact that Green was “recruited” by fellow players to accept a trade to their team:
“I dropped hints to every single player in this dressing room,” Stamkos said, smiling. “They were doing the same to everybody else. That’s the way it goes, when you get in a room and you start chatting. Nothing specific, obviously, but we’d love to have every single one of these guys if given a chance.”
Players are likely going to have to wait for access to Doughty, Karlsson and Tavares. But right now, the focus shifts back to Green. It’s unrealistic to say he helped his trade value in an All-Star game, but his positive impression certainly didn’t hurt.
“I wish all the best to him,” Ovechkin said. “We’ll see what’s going to happen in the future.”
