Yzerman to be the Red Wings GM, will others follow?
Gord Miller: The Detroit Red Wings will name Steve Yzerman as their new GM this afternoon. Ken Holland will remain as the Red Wings Sr. Vice President.
Joe Smith: Wonder if Yzerman will bring Pat Verbeek along with him to Detroit.
Joe Smith: Think that assistant GM Verbeek’s contract was also up with the Lightning.
Verbeek could be a GM candidate with another team, but Yzerman did bring him from Detroit to Tampa Bay.
There could be some Lightning executives and scouts that have opt-out clauses if Yzerman leaves.
No coaching changes for the Lightning, but some other changes will happen
Joe Smith of The Athletic: The Tampa Bay Lightning won’t be making any coaching changes this offseason.
“If I hadn’t re-signed Coop when I did, I’d be re-signing him right now,” BriseBois said. “No point in looking for the next Coop when I have the original. I like the original. I have faith in the original.”
GM Julian BriseBois said it’s too early to talk about any potential roster changes, but some changes will need to be made due to their salary cap situation.
Their blue line needs to be upgraded. Their pending free agent defensemen include Anton Stralman, Braydon Coburn, Dan Girardi and Jan Rutta.
They could buy out or trade forward Ryan Callahan, who has one-year left at $5.8 million.
Salary cap space is needed to re-sign RFA forward Brayden Point.
Increasing their free agent stock
Craig Custance of The Athletic: Looking at some pending unrestricted free agents who have increased their stock during the playoffs.
Matt Duchene – Columbus Blue Jackets – Only had 12 points in 23 games with the Blue Jackets. Has 13 points in 12 career playoff games.
Sergei Bobrovsky – Columbus Blue Jackets – A goalie coach: “The Florida Panthers have got to be loving this right now.”
Mats Zuccarello – Dallas Stars
Jordan Eberle – New York Islanders – A source: “People are seeing Eberle and he’s not just scoring either,” said an NHL source. “I think there was this thought that Eberle was going to get a little less than expected. That’s gone.”
Robin Lehner – New York Islanders – A goalie coach: “He’s making $1.5 million. Someone is going to get him to five.”
