Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde indicated Jakub Vrana's absence this season played into the reason to expose him on waivers Tuesday.
While ultimately the decision to risk losing a top-line winger for nothing was general manager Steve Yzerman's, it was Lalonde who parried questions after Wednesday's morning skate at Little Caesars Arena.
"We talked about it thoroughly," Lalonde said. "Steve and I discuss everything together. We are on the same page on everything. Ultimately it’s Steve’s decision, it’s exactly why you probably need that manager-coach layer, but weighing everything, ultimately that’s what we came up with.