NHL Rumours: Celebrini Extension, Hedman Joins Team & Yzerman Stepping Down?

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks, who are able to come together for an extension this offseason, and there is already some chatter about what that could look like. Next, we head to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where we have an update on Victor Hedman‘s availability.

Finally, the Detroit Red Wings seem to be sticking with Steve Yzerman as their general manager, but does he want to stay?

Celebrini Expected to Sign Huge Extension

After a historic season for a teenager, Celebrini is going to have the opportunity to sign a massive extension this offseason. He scored 115 points, passing Joe Thornton for the most points in a single season for the Sharks. Not only that, but he finished his teenage years as the fifth-most productive player ever under the age of 20. There is no doubt that he is a special player.

Despite missing the playoffs, the Sharks star is going to end up on many Hart Trophy ballots.

Celebrini told the media, “I want to commit to this team and being here. I love it here.”. Along with that, the Sharks organization has been very clear about how much they value him.

General manager Mike Grier, as well as president Jonathan Becher, have both been vocal about how much they value him, and how important he is to the team both on and off the ice. That isn’t necessarily going to be helpful to them when it comes time for negotiations, but that also isn’t their biggest concern.

While Celebrini probably won’t get the max of 20 percent of the cap, or even the $17 million that Kirill Kaprizov signed for, but it will be pushing those numbers, most likely. The big question for them will be the term.

In a world where the salary cap is rising so fast, a three-year deal would make a lot of sense for him to maximize his earnings. A four-year deal is likely off the table for the Sharks, as he would go straight to unrestricted free agency, so it would be fair to expect three years, or a long-term deal at six to eight years.

Victor Hedman Rejoins Team, Still Unavailable to Play

The Lightning announced that Hedman is skating, and with the team, but isn’t available quite yet.

On March 26, it was announced that Hedman would be taking time away from the team on a personal leave. After already being limited to 33 games due to multiple injuries, it was a tough season, and now he has personal matters to attend to.

Head coach Jon Cooper stated that Hedman would be joining the team on their trip to Montreal as they will play Game 3 and Game 4 there during their first-round series.

Cooper followed that up by stating that he probably won’t be available to play those games, though.

With so many injuries throughout the season, and the personal leave, it will take a bit for him to get up to game speed. When Hedman is at his best, he is one of the best parts of the Lightning team. He has a Norris Trophy, as well as a Conn Smythe Trophy under his belt, and is one of the best players to have in the playoffs.

Yzerman Won’t Be Fired, But Will He Step Aside?

After the Red Wings had another collapse, one of the biggest questions surrounding the team was going to be the destiny of general manager Steve Yzerman. It is always difficult for a team to move on from the manager when they are one of the greatest players in NHL history, and spent so long with the organization.

Multiple reports, including Elliotte Friedman, indicated that the Red Wings are looking like they will move forward with him at the helm, but is Yzerman thinking something else?

Odds are, he stays in the organization regardless. Could he request a position as the president of hockey operations, instead? Having a two-headed leadership group helps some teams, but can be detrimental to others.

Yzerman has been at the forefront of criticism for a number of years now, and this year is no exception. Many refer to the “Yzerplan” as the outlook the team has, but now, some are questioning whether there is a plan at all.

The Red Wings are clearly a capable team, they proved it for 80 percent of the season, again, but they also couldn’t hold it together at the end.

What is next for the Red Wings?