Rumors IV: Red Wings, Penguins, Bruins and Oilers

“I think we’re going with our young players,” general manager Ken Holland said when asked about the team’s plans to improve. “You look at what happened over the last two years, not only in Detroit but in Grand Rapids. We’re going to give Larkin a real chance to make our team, based on the way he played at Michigan and the World Championships and in Grand Rapids. Teemu Pulkkinen has got to come up. One of the young defensemen is going to be on the team.

“That’s the direction we’re going. They’re good young players. They need an opportunity. When you look at the unrestricted free agent market, I can’t tell you that there’s not some players there that won’t be better for us in the short term, but eventually, how do we get these younger players to the point where they are legitimate NHL pros. They’ve got to play at the NHL level.”

Matt Beleskey will have at least a dozen teams interested, and he’s already turned down four-years and $16 million offer from the Ducks. Joel Ward could be an option. The Wings are interested in Mike Green, but he’ll get something in the five-year, $5 to $6 million per season range. The Wings won’t like that much term on a deal.

As for going the way of a trade; “there’s been nothing close to doing a deal,” Holland said.

“Talked about a lot of things,” Rutherford said. “Trying to be patient at this point in time.”

The Penguins have been linked to Phil Kessel, Jeff Skinner, T.J. Oshie, Patrick Sharp and Martin St. Louis.

“It’s hard to read the market now,” Rutherford said. “There’s going to be enough players available. I think it’s going to be important that we take our time until we get the player that we think fits for us.”

The Penguins didn’t have a 1st round pick, but Rutherford felt he could have made a move without one if he wanted too. The Penguins aren’t really willing to move Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot.