On Thursday, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman held a press conference to discuss the upcoming NHL Draft and free agency, among other things.
During the presser, Yzerman shared a funny story about when he was GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
http://gty.im/1158950114
Yzerman said that during the 3rd Round of the 2014 NHL Draft, he wanted to select Brayden Point but he thought the Minnesota Wild, who would have selected one pick before the Lightning, would steal his selection.
So, Yzerman got on the phone and called Minnesota’s GM Chuck Fletcher, who was sitting about 10 feet away and offered the Lightning’s next pick along with a 7th Round pick just to move up one spot.
Yzerman said that Fletcher, who had picked up the phone, turned and looked at him, Steve shrugged, and a deal was made.
Yzerman recounting trading up one spot to pick Brayden Point.
*Calls Chuck Fletcher who is 10ft away, offers next pick + 7th*
*Fletcher turns around and looks at him funny*
*Yzerman shrugs*
*Deal is done, TBL picks Point*
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) October 1, 2020
Point, of course, has turned into an All-Star center for the Lightning and he scored a league-best 14 goals, leading the Lighting to the Stanley Cup.
