Steve Yzerman addresses Detroit's trade deadline moves

DETROIT -- As trade deadlines go, the 2022 version turned out about as planned for General Manager Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings traded away three players that were regulars in the lineup when healthy this season - Troy Stecher, Nick Leddy and Vladislav Namestnikov have combined for 131 games played and 43 points this season - but each was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Engaging in trade talks with those players made the most sense for Yzerman and his staff.
Detroit acquired a seventh-round pick from the L.A. Kings in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft for Stecher, and center Oskar Sundqvist, defenseman Jake Walman and a 2023 second-round pick from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Leddy and Luke Witkowski. Trading Namestnikov yielded a fourth-round selection from the Dallas Stars in 2024.

"When we move three of our pending unrestricted free agents, kind of what we expected to do as you're leading up to the deadline, you get a good gauge of what interest there are in your players and which teams have interest and kind of get a good idea of what the return is going to be on those players," Yzerman said.
"Pretty much went, for the most part, as expected."

The second-round draft pick centered around the package for Leddy essentially returned what Detroit gave up in trading for him last July.
"We got to use him (Leddy) for the year. He did help us a lot," Yzerman said. "He did help our defense, helped fill up Moritz (Seider) and (Gustav) Lindstrom on the left side. He played with all those guys a little bit.
"We discussed a contract extension, weren't really able to agree on anything so Nick was going to become a free agent. At least we tried and it was good we were able to recoup the second-round pick we gave up."
Yzerman added that there wasn't much trade discussion about Red Wings players that are currently under contract for next season and beyond.
Sundqvist and Walman are expected to receive considerable ice time in Detroit down the stretch of the 2021-22 regular season. At 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-1, respectively, they'll bring size and physicality to the Red Wings' lineup.
"More so than just big, was we kind of addressed a need," Yzerman said. "If we want to try out Jake (Walman) on the left side on the blue line and see how he does - as I've said a couple of times, we don't have those guys under contract, so there's opportunity here.
"And Oskar on the right side, again, a big winger. He does kill penalties, he's a very good penalty killer. He can kind of go up and down your lineup a little bit. But having some big bodies out there is important as well."
Sundqvist has played in 280 NHL games since debuting in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In nearly five seasons with St. Louis, he totaled 35 goals and 48 assists, including four goals and 11 helpers this season. Walman is currently enjoying his best NHL season, playing in 32 games with six points among three goals and three assists.

Locking up Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi

According to Yzerman, captain Dylan Larkin and winger Tyler Bertuzzi very much remain part of the Red Wings' long-term plans. He plans on negotiating contact extensions with both players.
"My hope would be to, sometime between now and the next 18 months from now or whatever, is to sign them to extensions," Yzerman said. "We can't do anything before July 1 of this year, but yeah, my plan would be to sign them to extensions. They're good players, they're good people, they like playing here and they've played very well for us. So certainly hope to do that and that's what we'll try to do."

Marc Staal's future in Hockeytown

Prior to the Red Wings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday, Detroit will celebrate the achievements of Marc Staal, who played in his 1,000th NHL game on March 12 at Calgary.
While Staal's status with the Red Wings beyond this season remains unclear, Yzerman said the possibility of him returning for a third season in Detroit is being considered.
"It's something to consider, for sure," Yzerman said. "We went through the season last year and into the offseason, then ultimately decided to bring him back. We're gonna need defense on the left side. Marc's been a great addition on and off the ice for our organization. That's, while I certainly can't make any commitments to anything right now, something we will consider between now and July."

Joe Veleno, Taro Hirose eligible for Griffins' stretch run

Yzerman confirmed that both Joe Veleno and Taro Hirose were made eligible for the Grand Rapids Griffins' playoff roster, should the club reach the postseason. Grand Rapids (26-25-5; 59 points) is currently in fifth place in the Central Division, four points ahead of the Texas Stars for the division's final spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. In each of the AHL's four divisions, all but two teams will qualify for postseason play in 2022.
Hirose, currently playing with the Wings, boasts a team-best 45 points (14 goals, 31 assists) for the Griffins this season. Veleno has posted 10 points in 11 games with Grand Rapids this season, and has appeared in 46 contests in Detroit.