Connect with us

Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Would Red Wings Have Made a Run at Matthews? Buchelnikov Tallies in Russia

Were rumors that Detroit was interested in Leafs sniper as UFA

Published

8 months ago

on

Auston-Matthews-Toronto-Maple-Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews is staying with the club after signing a contract extension.

There were rumblings last summer – some of them from people familiar with the situation with the Detroit Red Wings organization – that GM Steve Yzerman was planning to go all-in in an attempt to sign Auston Matthews.

The Toronto Maple Leafs 60-goal scorer would’ve become an unresticted free agent following the 2023-24 NHL season. Matthews and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin are close friends from their time together with USA Hockey’s national team development program. It was during this time that Matthews was also developing a fondness for Michigan.

It was those factors, coupled with salary cap space in Detroit that was supposed to be creating the perfect storm for Yzerman to open the vault in pursuit of the 2021-22 Hart Trophy winner.

Alas, we’ll never know. On Wednesday, Matthews was agreeing to a four-year, $53-million contract extension with the Leafs that is making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

  • Detroit has made 12 second-round draft picks since Steve Yzerman was named GM in 2019. Not one has played an NHL game
  • The Red Wings were signing center Joe Veleno to a one-year contract
  • Detroit draft pick Kiril Tyutyayev is joining the ECHL Toledo Walleye
  • Red Wings draft pick Albert Johansson is looking forward to finally getting his NHL chance

Red Wings Offseason

In the KHL Puchkov Tournament, SKA St. Petersburg was rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Sochi 4-3.

Red Wings draftee Dmitri Buchelnikov was among the scorers for SKA.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Now that Auston Matthews has signed with Toronto for an AAV of $13.25 million, what might Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby be worth when he becomes a UFA in 2025?

Philadelphia: Here are some betting odds on the Philadelphia Flyers for the upcoming NHL season.

Washington: Despite his struggles, center Evgeny Kuznetsov remains an important player for the Washington Capitals.

Islanders: What should the expectations be for center Bo Horvat in his first full season with the New York Islanders?

Carolina: Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns of the Carolina Hurricanes both cracked the NHL Network’s rankings of the top-20 defensemen.

Boston: An NHL source is indicating that the Boston Bruins would have interest if Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm were still on the trading block a month from now.

Buffalo: Assessing Buffalo Sabres prospect Stiven Sardarian.

Florida: Forward Carter Verhaeghe is becoming a legend with the Florida Panthers.

Montreal: Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach is doing offseason training to improve his shot mechanics.

BetMGM Sportsbook

States: All States Where Legal

GET THE APP
SIGNUP BONUSUP TO $1,000!
Up To $1000 Paid Back in Bonus BetsBET NOW

Colorado: A first look at forward Miles Wood in his new Colorado Avalanche colors.

Chicago: Is the roster of the Chicago Blackhawks truly brutal beyond the presence of No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard?

Nashville: These were the first worst free agent signings of the David Poile era with the Nashville Predators.

Vegas: If the Jack Eichel trade never happenend with the Vegas Golden Knights still have won the Stanley Cup? Would the Buffalo Sabres have made the playoffs if they’d kept Eichel?

San Jose: Are the pieces in place for the San Jose Sharks to ice a decent power play this season?

Los Angeles: Tyler Toffoli, who played for coach Darryl Sutter in Calgary and with the Los Angeles Kings, discusses the mind games Sutter would play with his players.

Related Topics: