On the Detroit Red Wings …
Bob McKenzie: It is decision for the Red Wings and Brendan Smith. They could sign him to a three-year deal around $3.5 million or they can trade him. Multiple teams are interested, including the NY Rangers.
George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings Thomas Vanek, Brendan Smith, Steve Ott, Riley Sheahan and Mike Green have all been in the rumor mill leading up to tomorrow deadline.
Smith said he’d like to get a contract extension done now than opposed to the summer. There have been contract talks, but there has been no indication yet that a deal is close.
“There’s nothing I can do,” he said of dwelling on the possibility of being traded. “I guess that would be added energy or wasted energy that I don’t care too much to waste.”
“There’s a lot of speculation all different ways,” Smith said.
Vanek also hopes he’s able to remain with the Red Wings past the deadline.
“Hopefully, I can stay here,” Vanek said. “I know we’re a longshot to get in (the playoffs), but it’s a place I like and I’ve enjoyed. I guess you guys will know before me if I’m here or not.”
If the Red Wings want to re-sign Vanek, it may be better for them to not trade him at the deadline, according to Vanek.
“Probably. Yeah, for sure. At this point, there’s really no — again, we haven’t talked much contract. There’s really no point to talk right now, anyways. July 1 (free agency) is around the corner. (Detroit is) a place that I like. At the same time, I might as well wait and see what else is out there.”
Ansar Khan of MLive: Brendan Smith would rather re-sign with the Red Wings now instead of going to free agency on July 1st.
“I would rather have a contract, to be honest,” Smith said. “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 at the same time.”
The Red Wings would like to re-sign Smith to a three-year deal at around $3.5 million.
The New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams that have shown some interest in Smith.
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit Free Press: It might take a multi-year deal in the $3.5 to $4 million range to keep Smith
“We’re talking for sure,” Smith said. “(If) it works out to benefit both myself and the team, it would be great. But until that moment, I don’t know what to tell you guys.”
The Fourth Period: Source saying that deal between Brendan Smith and the Red Wings appears unlikely unless there is a last minute change. The Red Wings will most likely trade Smith.
The Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames are among the teams that are believed to have some interest in Thomas Vanek.
Riley Sheahan, Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar and Danny DeKeyser are getting interest. It would take a really big offer for the Red Wings to move DeKeyser.
