Don't ask Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan if the team plans on moving anyone, because he's only going to make you think. Trade rumors have been circulating the Wings lately, so, naturally, fans are curious, as are members of McLellan's own family.
Things started heating up after the Red Wings recalled Nate Danielson, one of their most exciting prospects who would have likely earned a spot in the lineup if he hadn't suffered an injury in the preseason.
On Tuesday, McLellan revealed "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."
Nobody is getting inside information on what the Detroit Red Wings have in store
It didn't sound like McLellan gave his son any leeway. "No, we're not. That doesn't mean we won't or ever will" is another way of saying, "maybe we will, maybe we won't." The takeaway is simple: McLellan is going to keep everyone guessing, and that's the way it needs to be.
Just because, regarding Danielson, McLellan previously said, "We wanted to see him now, so we could make some decisions perhaps on some other players," it doesn't mean he's pointing to a potential trade. With someone like Nate Danielson in the lineup who is already capable of playing middle-six and eventual top-six minutes, there's no way they could bring him in without making tough decisions with other players.
Detroit wasn't recalling Danielson to play between 10 and 11 minutes a game. What good would that have done when he could have had first-line minutes in Grand Rapids? That would risk hurting his development. So changes to the lineup were coming, especially after the Red Wings found themselves outscored 10-2 in their previous three contests.
McLellan's also not closing the door on a potential trade, nor should he
McLellan made it clear that if you ask if there will be a trade in the near future or assume, he'll use vague language and leave you guessing. Even if the Red Wings were leading the Atlantic Division instead of struggling, McLellan would have given the same answer.
The best organizations won't tell you what their plans are or who they might move. Doing so fuels unwanted attention toward the team, and that could put the locker room on edge. Especially players who aren't locked into a long-term deal with the Red Wings.
By giving a bland, but blunt, response to the media regarding his previous statements or even what his son said to him, he's making sure the team's focus doesn't deviate from the ice. And the best way to keep everyone in town and make zero decisions on actually moving anyone elsewhere is if the team starts winning and playing consistent hockey again.