BUFFALO, N.Y. — On the surface, the NHL’s draft combine is a chance for teams to talk to prospects, test them out and get to know them a little better. It also serves as the gathering place for hockey’s decision-makers. It’s where deals start to take shape.



The hotel lobby is filled with general managers and agents, pairing up for conversations that lay the groundwork for later deals. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Red Wings GM Ken Holland was right in the middle of it.



He was busy interviewing players as prep work for the slew of draft picks the Red Wings have, but he also branched out into other territories.



There was a dinner with the Newport group, who represent Mike Green, a potential unrestricted free agent the Red Wings are interested in bringing back. Holland also met with CAA’s Pat Brisson, to lay the groundwork on a bridge contract for restricted free agent Anthony Mantha.



There appears to be real progress on that...