Yzerman explains the rationale behind the Walman deal

There has been a lot of outrage among Detroit Red Wings fans over general manager Steve Yzerman’s decision earlier this week to trade defenseman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks.

Some are angry about Walman’s departure. Most are upset about the fact that Yzerman also included a 2023 second-round draft pick (53rd overall) to send Walman on his way to San Jose.

Jake Walman loved Detroit with all his heart and soul, stop telling me to move on, I’m so sad

— 🍎🐙k (@seiderlarkin) June 28, 2024

On Friday, Yzerman took the time to explain his reasoning behind this move.

He desperately needed to cut a contract from his roster. Yzerman needs cap space to do what he wants to reshape the club’s roster for next season.

He’ll need to re-sign restricted free agents Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, which could ultimately cost him upwards of $17 million. Additionally, Yzerman hopes to retain some of his own pending UFAs. At the top of that list is certainly defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. A new deal for David Perron could also be in the works.

He would also like to free up some money to take a shot at UFAs like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault or Sam Reinhart.

Finding ways to make all of this possible is much easier to talk about than it does.

“It’s very difficult to move money right now,” Yzerman said. ‘And I tried. Honestly, I tried.

“We had to move at least one contract to do some of the things we need to do. Unfortunately, that (second round pick) was the price to pay to do it.

Yzerman did not want to trade Gibson

Defenseman Andrew Gibson also paid the price for this slew of trades. The Red Wings would send the 2023 second-round pick to the Nashville Predators. In return, they received the 53rd overall pick that went to the Sharks, and Finnish forward Jesse Kiiskinen.

Jesse Kiiskinen, now one #LGRW prospect, is a winger with high motor power, good skill level and a versatile wrist player through different release types.

Had a great rookie Liiga season considering his role, he should be ready to challenge for a top-six spot next year after a move to a weaker team. https://t.co/8aVOYeGLU1

— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 25, 2024

Again, given his choice, this was not a move Yzerman wanted to prioritize.

“I didn’t really want to trade Andrew Gibson, but we were able to recoup a prospect and get a pick that we had signed early,” Yzerman said. “We were able to acquire a similar level prospect through a trade with Nashville, at least within our board, for Andrew Gibson in Jesse Kiiskinen.”

If this all works out to allow the Red Wings to keep Gostisbehere and bring in an additional UFA like Stamkos, then perhaps Red Wings fans will strike a different tone.

But if that’s not the case and Yzerman ends up empty-handed, all his moves will be for naught. And the believers have the right to be angry.