Kevin’s Morning Hash: Triumph for Yzerman Draft Picks, a Red Wings UFA Target

Several Steve Yzerman draft picks and trade acquisitions engaged in a joyful on-ice celebration Friday about another trip to the Stanley Cup Final. But this is not the time for Detroit Red Wings fans to rejoice. Yzerman’s drafting prowess will be on display again in the Stanley Cup Final. Yzerman’s former team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens play a best-of-seven series starting Monday.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat, Yanni Gourde, Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh are among players brought in by Yzerman. NYIHockeynow.com analyzed the Gourde shorthanded goal that gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 series clinching win in Game 6.

Vasilevskiy has posted a shutout in all three of the Lightning’s clinching games in this postseason. Watching Vasilevskiy mature into the NHL’s best goalie has been difficult on Detroit fans because Yzerman drafted him with a draft pick acquired from Detroit. Now, Red Wings fans are waiting for Yzerman to draft an elite goalie for Detroit.

Rumor of the Day

@NHL Network tweeted: “The Red Wings could be a suitor for pending UFA Alec Martinez, who scored the tying goal for Vegas last night. Jeff Blashill recruited Martinez to Miami and also coached him twice at Worlds. Detroit needs help on defense. Martinez is from Michigan, too. Good fit. 

Martinez was born in Rochester, but played his early youth hockey in California. He spent some time in the San Jose Sharks youth program. Martinez did play for the Honeybaked program in Michigan before playing college hockey at Miami.

Around the NHL

T.J. Oshie is rumored to be unprotected by the Washington Capitals. Oh by the way, he played for new Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol in college at the University of North Dakota. Is that a further sign Oshie is on his way out of Washington? 

James van Riemsdyk has been a solid power forward but slumped this season. Are the Philadelphia Flyers showing him the door–is he already Seattle Kraken bound? 

In case you missed it, Detroit Hockey Now breaks down the Red Wings’  RFA outlook.  Evgeny Svechnikov, a first round pick, doesn’t seem to be in Detroit’s plans and Dennis Cholowski, another first round pick, will have to prove himself this season.

Hot take by Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski about how the NHL has the wrong approach in governing this sport.