Red Wings Todd McLellan answers hard-hitting question regarding a looming trade
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan set the record straight about his team's trade plans after calling up Nate Danielson from the AHL.
Over the weekend, Nate Danielson played the first NHL game of his career after being called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
According to Todd McLellan, Danielson would've made the team out of training camp if he hadn't been injured during a preseason game. When he was ready to return to the ice, he spent a few games in the AHL before finally getting the opportunity to play for the Wings in the regular season on Sunday.
After that tough 5-1 loss, McLellan made some comments that didn't go unnoticed, saying Danielson's call-up from the AHL would help the organization «make some decisions, perhaps on some other players.»
Yesterday, he clarified his comments, opening up about the team's trade plans.
Todd McLellan Sets the Record Straight on Comments About Team's Trade Plans After Danielson's Call-Up
Yesterday, after the Wings' practice at Little Caesars Arena, McLellan revealed in a press conference that even his son talked to him about trades after Danielson was called up.
He set the record straight, saying the team isn't looking to make trades right now and that Danielson was called up because of his strong training camp performance and to inject some momentum into the locker room.
In his own words:
«I've got to make sure I make that clear. My son calls me and he says, 'Oh, you guys are trading some players.'
No, we're not. That doesn't mean we won't or ever will, but that's not the reason why Danny's here. Danny's here because he played real well at training camp. We have some players that are struggling right now, and we thought he could inject a little life and some enthusiasm into the team and maybe provide us with some offense.
I guess my comment was we could put him in and see how he works with other players, if we can find some combinations and evaluate. It had nothing to do with Steve buying airline tickets and sending people all over the place. But if I led you on that way, I apologize.»
No, we're not. That doesn't mean we won't or ever will, but that's not the reason why Danny's here. Danny's here because he played real well at training camp. We have some players that are struggling right now, and we thought he could inject a little life and some enthusiasm into the team and maybe provide us with some offense.
I guess my comment was we could put him in and see how he works with other players, if we can find some combinations and evaluate. It had nothing to do with Steve buying airline tickets and sending people all over the place. But if I led you on that way, I apologize.»
It would be surprising to see the Wings not pull off a single trade this season, especially if they want to make a push for the playoffs toward the end of the season.
However, Danielson being called up isn't an indicator of anything else related to those rumors.
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