Updated - nothing happened. Perhaps it will be best stated that nothing materialized. In the purely speculative realm, Holland and Nill must feel that they can get a higher ticket nearer to the draft. Both players can still have their rights traded, but won’t be able to play this season. It is both impressive and a bit perplexing to see two young players follow through with the holdout. Puljujarvi is certainly performing well at nearly a point per game, but in a much different league. Apparently GMs weren’t impressed enough with either prospect to ante up whatever the asking price was.
In a hypothetical, this could still be a deal that Yzerman is working on. Of all the teams in the league, the Wings are most able to wait until next season, but could acquire rights and negotiate without the pressure of “right now…. Both players would be welcome additions to Detroit with a skill set and at an age where they certainly address some of the Red Wings deficiencies. Time will tell how “close… anyone was to making a deal, but Puljujà¤rvi may well have stuck with his desire to finish the season, well, Finnish. That would be a non starter for any contending team looking for help.
You can read my earlier thoughts below:
Not long ago, perhaps just a year ago today, William Nylander took the RFA deadline to the wire. Many pundits thought the deal was just too far away to complete. The whole process was a bit like a game of “chicken… melded with an online auction. “Is that your final, final, final offer?… The drama was significant and the resolution was close to the last minute. In the end, Nylander wanted to play. It is uncertain as to whether Julius Honka or Jesse Puljujarvi share that desire.
Jim Nill and Ken Holland will get “final offers… today. Without being certain what the ask is, the desire of either player to pack everything up and leave their respective overseas teams is difficult to gauge. Both players have “NHL out-clauses…. That remains the key difference from last year’s stand off. Puljujarvi and Honka are playing and having success.
From a Red Wings perspective, it would be interesting to know what, if any, conversations Steve Yzerman has had with his former peers. There are many teams whose hands are tied with contracts, cap space and injuries. Yzerman is in a refreshingly flexible position to deal. Vil Saarijarvi was sent to Arizona for some goaltending assistance in Eric Comrie. In his inaugural season as Detroit’s GM, “The Captain… has made 4 trades without any real heads up or rumor. The results have been mixed, though Robby Fabbri’s success has been impressive. Perlini and Biega are still finding their way.
The point in all of this is that, somehow Steve Yzerman keeps things quiet. Lou Lamarillo quiet. At the end of the day, things may stand pat and Pujuljarvi and Honka may well finish their respective seasons overseas. Both players have value, and neither Holland nor Nill want to find themselves on the wrong side of a deal.
I’ve mentioned several times that the number of Detroit’s RFA and UFA contracts are staggering. A deal like this is where that could be important. If either Edmonton or Dallas want a player on an expiring deal, the parameters would include the ability to extend the player. Those talks will have either happened already, or at least a temperature gauge as to what a Svechnikov, Rasmussen, or the trophy of Athanasiou will have been gathered. Steve Yzerman would be wise to avoid giving up any first round picks for now.
This, in the end, may be much ado about nothing. The deadline is important as it is the first step toward February’s trade deadline. Teams have a solid notion of where the greatest needs are. The final ante in RFA poker should hit the tables soon with Nil and Holland waiting to see if anyone goes “all in…. While Nylander’s return to the NHL was a bit rocky, both of these players have at least been competing. Still, the best fit for one or both may be on a team who can bring them in to develop and be part of future (not immediate) success. The pressure in Toronto to be a championship team is immense and Nylander’s slow start was met with a 24 hour cycle of negativity. Not ideal.
If a deal is made today that benefits Detroit (or involves in any way) there will be a separate post. Until then, please wildly speculate in the comments section. As today is the beginning of December, you can even put a “dear Santa… theme if you’d like! No candy canes will be given and I’m unavailable for an awkward picture in which a third of you would likely be crying, unfortunately. It’s best to relive that childhood trauma through pictures and therapy sessions.
Thank you to all of you who stop by to read and comment. Keep it coming!