In today’s episode of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman discussed several topics, including the big question facing the Detroit Red Wings: Who will be the team’s next General Manager?
Unfortunately, Friedman didn’t allude to any new names in the search, but did report on what can only be described as another unforced misstep for an organization that has been making a few too many of late. Friedman shared that the Red Wings asked teams for permission to interview potential candidates, received it, and then never followed up or interviewed them.
Now, in Detroit’s defense, it’s not uncommon for teams to cast a wide net when searching for a new General Manager. The Red Wings may have asked a team for permission; that team took too long to respond, and Detroit zeroed in on a different candidate in the meantime.
However, it should at least be an industry standard to tell the rival club they have moved on and withdrawn the permission request in some manner.
Additional notes from the Atlantic Division:
Yesterday afternoon, the Anaheim Ducks placed forward Chris Kreider on waivers for contract termination. It’s already well known that Kreider would like to return to the Eastern Conference.
Friedman suggested that the Boston Bruins are his preferred landing spot. Friedman indicated that if Kreider is claimed off waivers by a team he doesn’t wish to join, he will sit out the final year of his contract unless he is traded to a more favorable situation.
Back to the Red Wings, Friedman also shared that earlier this season, under the leadership of Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings had submitted a short-term offer to restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Clearly, nothing ever came of Detroit’s offer, or it was withdrawn when Yzerman was promoted.
Regardless, contract talks between Edvinsson and the Red Wings are on hold until the team hires a new General Manager. Still, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently reported that Edvinsson will attend Detroit’s training camp, even though he likely won’t have a contract by then.