Two Detroit Red Wings pondered their future, while a third secured his as the club practiced Monday before departing for Vancouver and the start of a five-game road trip.
With the NHL trade deadline set for 3 p.m EST Wednesday, both defenseman Brendan Smith and forward Thomas Vanek recognize that Tuesday could possibly be their final game as Red Wings.
“I’m not sure really,… Vanek frankly admitted. “I’m here today for practice, flying on the trip and hopefully playing tomorrow. It’s not the ideal situation. You pack a couple more suits and an extra suitcase and we’ll see.
“There’s nothing to ignore. It’s reality. It’s the spot that we’re in as a team. I understand the whole situation so there’s no secret or nothing like that.
“Like I said before, I hope I can stay here. I know we’re a longshot to get in (the playoffs), but it’s a place that I like and I’ve enjoyed.…
Both Vanek and Smith will become unrestricted free agents at season’s end and while Vanek indicated that there really has been no contract talks with the Wings, Smith is currently engaged in serious discussion about an extension.
The word from an NHL source was that if Smith can’t reach an agreement with the team before Wednesday, then they will do their utmost to move him.
“My agent is in contact with (Detroit GM) Kenny (Holland) but there hasn’t been anything definitive right now,… Smith said.
Given his druthers, Smith would prefer to remain a Red Wing.
“Do I want to go to free agency?… Smith asked rhetorically. “I would rather have a contract, to be honest. I would like to know where I am because I think becoming a free agent is the unknown and that can kind of be scary.
“I’ve always been happy here. I like playing here. This is all I know, the Wings way and I like it that way.…
At the same time, Smith understands that control of the situation is out of his hands.
“I’ve got buddies calling me, texting me, ‘Are you going somewhere? How are you coming with the contract?’… Smith said. “I just answer that I’m not really sure at this moment.…
Smith figured his chances of still being a Red Wing after Wednesday were “50-50.…
“All I know is that I would like to have a good contract with the Wings and be around,… Smith said. “We’re kind of starting to go through that process.
“If that works out, or whether Kenny is maybe looking to move myself of somebody else, we’ll just have to wait and see.…
Jensen Signs Defenseman Nick Jensen was also headed toward unrestricted free agency but that journey ended Tuesday when he signed a two-year deal with the Wings.
As a pro about to turn 25 with less than 80 NHL games, Jensen would have been a Group 6 UFA. Instead, his two-year pact will pay him $800,000 next season and $825,000 the season after.
“Obviously there’s a security that you have that kind of gives you a feeling that they trust you and they’re giving you a pretty good chance with two years,… Jensen said. “I’m still going to go into every game and try to prove myself that I should be an NHL defensemen.
“That’s how I’m going to approach every game even though I’ve got a two-year contract. Every game I’ve got to prove myself that I’m worth it.…
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill felt that the other young Wing hopefuls should look to Jensen as a sign that the dream never dies. Jensen was passed over for other defenseman several times before he finally got his NHL shot this season, his fourth as a pro.
“It’s a good example of perseverance,… Blashill said. “He went through two years, or three years maybe, where there wasn’t lots of light at the end of the tunnel. We called up other guys, other guys got opportunities before him and he just kept working and trying to get better.
“I think that’s a huge lesson for young guys in Grand Rapids right now. That can be a disappointing thing to watch other guys get opportunity. He stayed with it, kept working, kept working, and when his opportunity came he jumped through that window of opportunity and is rewarded with a two-year deal, so I’m happy for him.…
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