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Red Wings: Why Mike Green Could Net Wings a Draft Pick

By John Manzo

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 18: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates while playing the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena on February 18, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 18: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates while playing the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena on February 18, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The veteran defenseman scored the tying goal Tuesday and is playing well since returning to the lineup.

Just in the nick of time, Mike.

It’s been an interesting month for Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green.

As I wrote a few weeks back, it was important for the team to get him back into the lineup after getting hurt against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 20.

At the time, he was struggling, but the main value point for having Green on the ice was to have a veteran presence lead the young defensemen on the roster.

My thoughts and plan were…return to the lineup, tutor the youngsters for three months and let him walk during free agency  or sign him to a one-year deal on an inexpensive contract.

Instead, Green is trending toward making more of an impact that just a tutor.

Sure, he’s doing what I had anticipated and is strong veteran voice in the locker room. Head coach Jeff Blashill said as much in a recent MLive article, calling Green “a great model for our young players.”

Riveting words from the emotionless Blashill, I know. Don’t anticipate him starring in a drama film anytime soon, but I digress.

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Anyways, Green is playing well enough that other teams should take notice ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

Since his return, Green looks steady on the puck (outside of a few plays in the defensive zone here and there), got an assist in a loss to Buffalo on Feb. 11 and scored the tying goal in Tuesday’s 4-3 come-from-behind victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

In the win, the Red Wings swept the season series with the Original Six foe for the first time in franchise history and he personally recorded his 500th point.

While Green isn’t what he used to be by any means, adding a veteran defenseman at the deadline would behoove a contending team.

Don’t expect the Red Wings to get much for the 34-year-old, but his recent successes is another proof point for general manager Steve Yzerman to use in an effort to fetch ANYTHING from another team by Monday.

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