Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman opens up about facing old teammates
Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman, best known across the NHL for his infamous "Griddy" celebration after goals, faced his former club for the first time since the stunning offseason trade.
In one of the more surprising moves during the offseason, the Detroit Red Wings unloaded defenseman Jake Walman (as well as a second-round draft selection) to the San Jose Sharks.
The Red Wings received nothing but "future considerations" in return for Walman, a move that continues to puzzle fans to this day.
Monday evening marked the first time that Walman faced his former teammates - but before the on-ice battle, he was sure to see them in a more friendly setting.
I saw some of my best buddies on the team (for dinner) last night. Saw Joe Veleno, Seider, (Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat), couple other guys I wish I saw too. But as far as the trade away from Detroit just one season into a three-year contract, Walman still doesn't have a good explanation for why he was moved.
Instead, he simply said that perhaps the only person who truly knows why the move was made was Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.
I think people are still wondering, and I don't think anybody really knows, except for the person that did it.
Walman has already scored twice for the Sharks while adding another 10 assists; he scored a career-high 12 goals last season.
In the matchup against the Red Wings, Walman had an assist in 21:10 of ice time with a +1 rating and three shots.
Despite the confusion, Walman explained that he can't let his emotions get in the way of his job on the ice with his new teammates.
I've got to take the emotions out of it. We're all hockey players. At the end of the day, [trades are] for whatever reason.
POLL |
NOVEMBRE 21 | 157 ANSWERS Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman opens up about facing old teammates Which former Red Wings player do they miss the most? |
Jake Walman | 70 | 44.6 % |
Daniel Sprong | 7 | 4.5 % |
Shayne Gostisbehere | 49 | 31.2 % |
David Perron | 31 | 19.7 % |
List of polls |
|
6 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin singles out performance from Elmer Soderblom |
|
7 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine nominated for major award |
|
8 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Critical update released on former Red Wings veteran David Perron |
|
11 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Former rival Chicago Blackhawks could be prepping for trade with Red Wings |
|
12 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Todd McLellan exposes major problem for Red Wings during losing skid |
|
14 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Pavel Datsyuk delivers bad news to Red Wings fans |
|
15 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Lucas Raymond shows leadership after disappointing 2-1 loss to Flyers in OT |
|
18 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Todd McLellan gets brutally honest after Red Wings win just once on 4-game trip |
Previously on Red Wings Insider