TAMPA – The NHL’s trade deadline is less than a month away, and impending unrestricted free agent Mike Green says he has not had any contract extension talks with the Detroit Red Wings.
"I don’t worry too much about the exact extension or what’s going on in that sense. I just focus on day to day," said Green, the lone Red Wings representative at All-Star Weekend.
"I’m happy in Detroit. I enjoy it. It’s an incredible organization. Things are good."
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Green, 32, leads all Detroit skaters in ice time, averaging 22:35 per night. He’s quarterbacking the power play, and his production has enjoyed a resurgence with 26 points through 48 games.
As an experienced, right-shot blue-liner, Green should gain trade interest from teams looking to strengthen their defence before Feb. 26.
Detroit (19-21-8) sits 10 points back of a wild-card spot at the all-star break.
The first time Green hit free agency, he signed a three-year contract with Wings at $6 million per season. The defenceman’s first nine years were spent in Washington. The Capitals never survived past the second round of the playoffs during his Green’s prime.
"To be brutally honest, sometimes things don’t go as well as you want them to. You get kicked down and then you’re faced with adversity. I think that’s great, honestly. It gave me an opportunity to grow and it made me a better player," said Green, thinking back to his 2015 departure from Washington.
"It is unfortunate that things didn’t work out there as far as winning and my time there ending."
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Green has learned how to deal with ambiguous weeks ahead, having gone through trade rumours and free agency before.
"I think I’ve learned, I just take care of the process and things will guide you to where you need to be. That’s how I’m focused," Green said.
"I would love to be [back in Detroit]. Whether that happens, there’s so much uncertainty in this league, you just don’t know."
