MLive/Mike Mulholland

Former captain's speech increased speculation

Steve Yzerman heaped praise upon the Detroit Red Wings during the closing ceremony at Joe Louis Arena, congratulating the organization on its 25-season playoff streak, wishing the team luck in the future and telling fans the franchise will win another Stanley Cup soon.

You wouldn’t expect a franchise icon to say otherwise, especially during a festive occasion. But it led many fans to conclude Yzerman wants to return to Detroit as the next general manager. Thousands chanted “Come home, Stevie” as he spoke.

The Yzerman-to-Detroit speculation probably will continue for years. It was one of the topics in this week’s mailbag.

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Mike Mulholland/MLive.com

Is Yzerman heir apparent to Holland?

Q: The way the fans called for Steve to come home (on April 9), do you think that will put pressure on Chris Ilitch to make a change? If not this year then next season? – Jack

A: I don't think so. Two days after that scene, Ilitch affirmed his support for general manager Ken Holland and confirming his return for 2017-18, the final year of his contract.

Ilitch said talk of an extension “is something for the future,” but his comments seemed to indicate he wants Holland here beyond this season. He said ownership has “100 percent confidence” in Holland as its GM into the future and that Holland has the passion to build a championship team again in Detroit.

I get the sense Holland is not ready to retire anytime soon and wants the opportunity to get the Red Wings back to where they were.

I don’t think Yzerman wants to return to Detroit, now or in the future. At least that’s what I’ve heard. He has a good situation in Tampa Bay. Even though the Lightning missed the playoffs, they have a strong core with Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Jonathan Drouin, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vesilovskiy. They are much closer to contending for a Stanley Cup than the Red Wings.

If Holland were to step down after next season or in the near future, I think there’s a greater chance the next GM would be Kris Draper rather than Yzerman.

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The Associated Press

Which Red Wing is Vegas-bound?

Q: What players do the Wings have a chance of losing through the expansion draft this summer? – Tony

A: The protected list will be one of the main topics of discussion and debate when the front office meets next month. I'm sure they have a good idea of what the list will be, but it could change if trades are made prior to the June 21 expansion draft.

Right now, I think some of the players who’ll be available to the Vegas Golden Knights are forwards Darren Helm, Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening and Tomas Nosek, defensemen Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul and goaltender Jimmy Howard.

Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson will be exposed, but it’s safe to say neither will be selected.

Who would Vegas select from that list? It depends on what other players are available, league-wide, but my guess would be Sheahan. Despite his massive struggles this season, he’s been fairly productive in the past as a third-line center, he’s big (6-3, 222), though not physical, he’s young (25), not making a ton ($2.075 million) and remains under club control after this season (restricted free agent in 2018).

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The Associated Press

Which Griffins are available to Golden Knights?

Q: Just wondering which Griffins, if any, are eligible for the expansion draft? I know (Jared) Coreau is, but after that, I don't know. – Josh

A: The list of players currently playing for the Griffins who are eligible for the expansion draft includes Coreau, forwards Tomas Nosek, Matt Lorito, Martin Frk and Eric Tangradi and defenseman Brian Lashoff.

Forwards Ben Street and Mitch Callahan and defenseman Dylan McIlrath are unrestricted free agents, thus not eligible, and all the players with two years or less of pro experience (NHL or AHL) are exempt.

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The Associated Press

Ulterior motive behind player usage?

Q: Do you think there is any intelligent reason that (Drew) Miller or (Riley) Sheahan were on the ice at all other than to make (Ken) Holland's poor contracts look better? – Bill

A: They have worse contracts than Miller's ($1.025 million last season, an unrestricted free agent who won't be re-signed) and Sheahan's (one year remaining at $2.075 million, restricted free agent in 2018).

Holland has maintained for many years that he doesn’t interfere with coaching decisions. I’m sure he gives opinions, but the decision on who to play, how many minutes, what lines, what specialty team units, etc., is Jeff Blashill’s alone.

In general, Blashill trusts veterans more than younger players, giving experienced guys far more rope than younger players. That’s one of the reasons he used Miller as much as he did.

Blashill explained his usage of Sheahan on several occasions, saying he likes his defense-first mentality (despite his minus-29 rating) and ability to match-up against top centers, his size and strength on the puck and net-front presence on the power play (despite only three points).

You don’t have to agree with it, and many don’t, but that’s how he feels and it’s his decision.

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Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com

Whose number is next to be raised?

Q: When teams get to new stadiums can they choose to un-retire jerseys? Do you think (the Red Wings) will take advantage of that? Do you think (Pavel) Datsyuk will get No. 13 retired? Are there any other Wings on the current roster you think will get their jerseys retired? – Patrick

A: Teams can do whatever they wish, but I don't know why they would un-retire a jersey. That's not happening here.

I think they'll retire three more numbers in the near future -- Sergei Fedorov's No. 91, Datsyuk's No. 13 and Henrik Zetterberg's No. 40.

Holland indicated last year that they had discussed internally the idea of raising Fedorov's jersey. He didn't leave on the best terms in 2003 but that seems to be water under the bridge now.

If they retire Fedorov’s number, they probably do the same for Datsyuk after he's done playing in Russia.

The best case can be made for Zetterberg. He's played 1,000 games and if he stays healthy for a couple more seasons he could reach 1,000 points. In any event, he'll finish as the franchise's fifth-leading scorer. He's been captain for several seasons, has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and he'll finish his career as a Red Wing. Sounds like a slam-dunk for having his number raised.

And if they retire Zetterberg's jersey, it seems they'd do likewise for Datsyuk. They've always been linked together.