Duffer’s Dabbles: Some Former Red Wings In Line For A Stanley Cup Win

Down 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup final, it’s unlikely that former Detroit Red Wings Jon Merrill, Tomas Tatar or Xavier Ouellet of the Montreal Canadiens will be gaining an inscription of the Cup’s bowl.

Technically, there are no ex-Wings suting up for the Lightning – unless you count defenseman David Savard, a paper Red Wing for a brief time this season amidst a three-team deal between the Red Wings, Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets.

However, look a little beyond ice level. There are a couple of ex-Wings who could be adding Stanley Cup rings to their repertoire. Tampa Bay is currently going three deep in assistant general managers. Two of them were Red Wings during their playing days.

Jamie Pushor serves as assistant general manager – director of player personnel. He was a Detroit defenseman from 1995-98, winning a pair of Stanley Cups. Pushor saw action in five playoff games during the Wings’ 1996-97 run to the title.

Center Stacy Roest is Tampa Bay’s assistant general manager – director of player development. He’s also general manager of the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning’s top minor league affiliate. Roest was a Wing from 1998-2000 and again in 2002-03. He played three games for Detroit in the 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Both were brought into the Tampa Bay organization by current Wings GM Steve Yzerman when he was serving as Lightning GM. Pushor’s orginal hiring was as a pro scout in 2011. Roest came aboard as director of player development in 2013. They were given promotion to their current roles in 2019, after Yzerman had left for Detroit.

Kadri Breaks Silence Over His Suspension

Colorado Hockey Now: For the first time since he was suspended by the NHL early into the 2021 playoffs, Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri chose our Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now to break his silence and give his side and opinion on officiating. . Kadri was blunt in his assessment of the call against him. “…it’s the offender, not the offense,”

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What might the Penguins do in terms of trades and free agency? Did the Penguins call on Seth Jones, and what would that look like? And Frederick Andersen wants a pile of money. Nope. Read on…

Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is meeting with the front office to outline an offseason plan of attack. One of Marc-Andre Fleury or Robin Lehner will probably hit the NHL trade market, and here is how Vegas should decide who stays. 

Vegas also must make a decision regarding defenseman Alec Martinez. Martinez is easily the only affordable top-four left defenseman on the market, but he could price himself out of Vegas? What does Vegas do? 

Detroit Hockey Now: Red Wings fans have heard William Eklund-Henrik Zetterberg comparisons and are hoping top Euro prospect William Eklund will be there at No. 6. That is seeming less and less likely. Sorry, Wings fans, it looks like Eklund will go top-five. 

San Jose Hockey Now: Looking for an NHL Draft podcast? Here it is! Our folks in San Jose adjust the big draft board for 2.0. 

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers gave Tampa Bay all the Bolts could handle in Round 1 of the playoffs. It was a big step forward for Florida. George Richards dishes report cards for the Panthers forwards. 

NYI Hockey Now: Could Jordan Eberle be expendable with Oliver Wahlstrom waiting in the wings?

Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins organization keeps watching coaches depart. They’ve lost two coaches in a week. 

Washington Hockey Now: Part of the 1997-98 Cup-winning club, Michael Kempny is already working out for next season. But where will the blueliner slot in next season with the Capitals?