Three things: On Cup anniversaries, Yzerman and the Bolts and a trade rumor

Of Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins-related note this afternoon:

  1. Several Wings and Griffins media folks noted that today is a momentous anniversary for both the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate:

2. In the alumni department (of sorts), The Athletic’s Joe Smith reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning expect to extend GM Steve Yzerman’s contract at some point this summer:

[Lightning owner Jeff] Vinik is also believed to have given Yzerman an ownership stake in the team — like he did with former CEO Tod Leiweke — though he wouldn’t confirm that. “Both Steve and Tod were not employees,” Vinik said. “They were partners.”

The popular hope — at least, among some Red Wings fans — is that Yzerman will eventually come back to Detroit. But Red Wings GM Ken Holland, a good friend and mentor to Yzerman, signed a two-year extension this spring.

And those who know Yzerman well believe he takes pride in taking his own path, and seeing it through.

“He’s the kind of guy that when he starts something, he likes to finish something,” said Darren Pang, a long-time friend of Yzerman. “And the mark he wants to leave is he is a Stanley Cup champion with Vinik and the great people of Tampa Bay. He’s never been a guy to look ahead. He’s not a floater.”

Vinik said during the playoffs that he and Yzerman had informal talks about extending his deal. “I want Steve here as long as he wants to be here,” Vinik said. “We have one of the very best in hockey and we’re fortunate to have him.”

Smith continues (paywall), quoting Jimmy Devellano, who believes that the Lightning will be able to retain Yzerman’s services…

3. And USA Today’s Kevin Allen suggests that the Red Wings will be among the bidders for defenseman Justin Faulk, should the Carolina Hurricanes wish to peddle him:

Defenseman Justin Faulk, Hurricanes: At 27, Faulk is a big shot-defenseman in the prime of his career. He has scored 56 goals over the past four seasons. The Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Canadiens are among the teams that should be interested. The right-handed shooter has two years remaining on his contract ($4.83 cap hit).

 

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, when MLive hired me to work their SlapShots blog, and I joined Kukla's Korner in 2011 as The Malik Report. I'm starting The Malik Report as a stand-alone site, hoping that having my readers fund the website is indeed the way to go to build a better community and create better content.

2 thoughts on “Three things: On Cup anniversaries, Yzerman and the Bolts and a trade rumor”

  1. If we can move a current defenseman (or two) for Faulk. Cool. He’s a darned good player.

    If we don’t, he’s just taking up a spot that would best be filled by Hicketts or Hronek or *insert 2018 1st Round Pick*.

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