Speaking after today’s draft (video link), Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke publicly for the first time about Dylan Larkin’s trade request. He certainly didn’t commit to moving the center, stating that “My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that. I cannot make any guarantees, or did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met.” Larkin is believed to have given Detroit a very limited list of teams he’d be willing to be traded to while the team is also wanting comparable-level talent in return instead of draft picks and futures. That will only further complicate those discussions. Yzerman is known to be patient so it could very well take a while for Larkin’s request to be met.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- In his post-draft presser (video link), Stars GM Jim Nill provided a pair of updates on his injured centers. Radek Faksa (foot) underwent a second surgery and the belief is that he’ll be ready for training camp. The veteran was injured during their opening-round series loss to Minnesota. Meanwhile, pivot Tyler Seguin (ACL surgery) is continuing through his recovery and the hope is that he’ll be ready for training camp. Seguin sustained the injury in early December. With Dallas needing to trim salary, the injury uncertainty for these two could make it harder to move one of them in the coming days or weeks.
- Speaking today after the draft (video link), Flames GM Craig Conroy provided an update on injured winger Jonathan Huberdeau. The veteran is back skating after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in the spring and noted that he’s now pain-free for the first time in quite some time. Huberdeau has a lot of work to do in his rehab to be ready for training camp but it looks like he’ll be in good shape for the fall. Conroy also noted that he doesn’t expect to re-sign any of Calgary’s pending unrestricted free agents, a list that includes forwards Victor Olofsson, Justin Kirkland, and Ryan Lomberg, along with defenseman Jake Bean.
- The Lightning are in discussions to try to re-sign pending unrestricted defenseman Declan Carlile, notes Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). The 26-year-old played in 42 games for Tampa Bay this past season but it wasn’t enough for him to avoid reaching Group Six UFA status. Carlile had three points in those outings and averaged a little under 15 minutes per game. He’s one of the better Group Six players available so it might cost a bit more than the minimum salary (the rate most players in that type of free agency sign for) to keep him in the fold and not have him test the open market next week.
