It feels like no one can get it right with the Detroit Red Wings.
This offseason, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that ex-captain Dylan Larkin's trade list only included three teams. Larkin quashed these rumors (while failing to clarify anything) at his press conference. Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff reported that the Red Wings and Simon Edvinsson were "close" to an extension in September. It's now October 8 and there's no telling when (or if) an extension will happen.
This time around, it looks like another alleged rumor has been debunked -- this one involving Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.
Months ago, Detroit Free Press reporter Carlos Monarrez mused that the Red Wings were in talks to sign Steven Stamkos only for CEO and owner Chris Ilitch to shoot the idea down.
“According to a person of knowledge of the situation, Ilitch’s hesitation in approving big signings cost the Wings two big signings: Steven Stamkos in 2024, and, on the same day Yzerman’s removal was announced, assistant GM Shawn Horcoff had a deal in place with Anthony Mantha, but it fell through while Ilitch deliberated."
Monarrez's article, which released in early August, has now been debunked by two separate NHL insiders: Elliotte Friedman and David Pagnotta.
Friedman dismisses Stamkos rumors
In a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman outright dismissed rumors of Stamkos to Detroit, stating that it had less to do with Detroit and more to do with what the Nashville Predators offered Stamkos.
"The one thing I dispute - until someone proves to me otherwise - is the Steven Stamkos thing," Friedman began. "I heard that Nashville blew everybody out of the water. The reason he ended up with the Predators is that they made an offer that nobody else was even close to. Are there other choices or things the Red Wings could have done? 100%. But I remember at the time that I was told that Nashville just...nobody was close to them and he ended up there."
Friedman disputing a rumor is one thing. Having a second (and third) insider dispute it is another. This week, Colby Cohen and David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Morning Cuppa Hockey to discuss what's been going on with Simon Edvinsson and the Red Wings at large. Cohen started his portion by dismissing the Stamkos rumors, to which Pagnotta agreed.
"I've heard similarly that that was never really a cause for concern," Pagnotta began. "if they wanted to go out and sign Stamkos or someone else then Yzerman had the autonomy and bankroll to do it."
Monarrez's initial reporting on Stamkos was skeptical at best, as he's taken on somewhat of a contrarian role in Detroit media. Nearly all of his reports have been met with skepticism, and this Stamkos rumor is yet another example of this.
At this point in time, while there are concerns about interim GM Shawn Horcoff's autonomy with the Red Wings, it's safe to put the Stamkos rumor to rest.
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