I was stunned to hear the outcry from some Red Wing fans last weekend when word filtered out during a Ken Holland interview with TSN 1200 radio in Ottawa that Daniel Alfredsson's could attend training camp on a tryout basis.
Ken Holland tells @TSN1200 decision on Daniel Alfredsson may not be made until mid-September. Could come to training camp on a tryout.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) August 15, 2014The news coincided with the club announcing the return of Holland as managing general of the hockey club for four more seasons. It's amazing the vitriol and hate this man receives when you consider that during his tenure as GM of the hockey club, no other NHL team has won more hockey games (regular season and playoffs combined).
Yet, the disdain for Holland's recent work continues to grow with some members of the fan base despite the majority of the hockey world remaining jealous of the Red Wings and their continued success and ability to remain competitive.
That sentiment amongst Wing fans initially appeared to continue after Holland's suggestion that Alfredsson would likely attend Detroit's training camp by way of a tryout. Instead of reading into it for what it is, an indication that Alfredsson does not want to hamstring the hockey club by signing a contract unless he is 100% confident his health will enable him to endure one last "potential" 10 month grind, many fans feel it is another example of Holland's rising incompetence. No thing could be further from the truth.
It's quite apparent both sides are comfortable allowing Alfredsson to test the waters through training camp and preseason to see how he feels and whether he believes he can hold up. Instead, a segment of the fan base continues to focus on ripping Holland for his deal earlier this summer signing Daniel Cleary and speculate as if that contract is the reason why Alfredsson has to attend training camp on a tryout.
Time to chill out and let the Cleary signing be. The news about Alfredsson wanting to wait until training camp does speak volumes though about the chances on whether he will return for another campaign. Although he could just be playing it conservative, it sure does appear to be at least a distinct possibility that his health issues have not fully healed and could crop back up once he starts skating full bore during training camp.
The wait continues...
mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com
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