Report: Yzerman linked to Wings again, but this time he’s taking a top Oilers GM candidate with him?

From the very moment that Steve Yzerman announced that he was stepping down as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, hockey fans, particularly Detroit Red Wings fans, have been waiting for him to return to Hockey Town.

All signs seem to point to a return to the Red Wings organization for Yzerman but, because he’s technically under contract with the Lightning until the end of the season, he has steadfastly denied any reports linking him to Detroit.

For what it’s worth, long-time Red Wings GM Ken Holland signed a two year contract extension just last Spring. A popular theory amongst Wings fans though is that Yzerman will return to Detroit as the team’s GM and Holland will receive a promotion to team President.

While it remains to be seen what plays out between Yzerman and the Wings, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman continues to feed the speculation. In fact, Friedman went a step further suggesting that Edmonton Oilers GM candidate Pat Verbeek could spurn a potential Oilers offer in favor of an executive position under Yzerman with the Red Wings.

Check out this juicy tidbit from Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

Edmonton’s interview list for the GM position is around 10 to 13 names long. As Mark Spector reported last week, you should add Pat Verbeek’s name to whatever roster you’ve put together. My suspicion is he was recommended by Steve Yzerman. His candidacy could be affected by Yzerman’s own decision, since he might want Verbeek with him should he go to Detroit.

Interesting. For what it’s worth, Verbeek does seem to be something of a right hand man for Yzerman. He’s currently the Tampa Bay Lightning’s assistant general manager and was previously a pro scout with the Red Wings. After retiring from the game in 2002, Verbeek spent four seasons as part of the Red Wings’ broadcast crew. He hails from nearby Sarnia, Ontario.