Ever since it was announced that Steve Yzerman was stepping down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning despite having one year on his contract left, speculation has run rampant that a return to the Detroit Red Wings was in the works. He is still with the Lightning as an advisor.
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Yzerman still maintains a home in the metro-Detroit area, and his family remained here even as he worked in Florida. Meanwhile, current general manager Ken Holland still has one year remaining on a two-year pact he agreed to this past offseason.
While discussing the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, Tigers chairman and CEO Chris Ilitch was asked about the potential return of Yzerman. However, he kept things simple when asked if he’s reached out to the former captain.
“No, we have not done that,” Ilitch responded. “He is under contract and we generally have a rule within our organization not talking about executives or others who are under contract with another organization.”
“There’s not a lot I can say about that other than I know his contract is expiring this summer, and leave it at that.”
BONUS CONTENT:
Ken Holland preaches patience
The Detroit Red Wings were once again sellers at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline as they’ll be on the outside looking in on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight year.
Their two trades were sending defenseman Nick Jensen to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Madison Bowey and a 2020 second-round drat pick, as well as sending Gustav Nyquist to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2019 second-round pick and a conditional 2020 third-round pick.
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General manager Ken Holland discussed the moves and the importance of acquiring draft capital as the team builds towards the future.
“At the end of the day, to rebuild, going with youth has got to be done through the draft, it has to be done through multiple picks,” Holland said. “Would I like to have acquired more picks? Yeah I’d love to have acquired more picks. But the market place speaks.”
