Steve Yzerman is an enigma.

The veteran GM is known to be notoriously tight lipped and that hasn’t changed since taking over the Detroit operation. His most polarizing move to date: Claiming Cody Goloubef off waivers from the Ottawa Senators. Friday afternoon reports came in that the club did indeed nab the 30-year-old defenseman.

It’s hard to imagine Yzerman claimed Goloubef for his talent. On the season, the former Senator notched a goal and two points in 24 games. Across 158 career games with Columbus, Colorado and Ottawa he has registered a mere 25 points. He’s not a fan favorite in the analytics community either, to say the least.

Micah Blake McCurdy of Hockeyviz was quick to question the move.

So what’s the deal? Much confusion is circling around, with the only possible explanation being more activity is on the way. The trade deadline is on Monday and several Detroit players could be heading elsewhere. The most rumored being Mike Green, with reports sighting the Washington Capitals as a potential suitor.

Adding to the chaos was the emergency recall of Brian Lashoff on Thursday. Filip Hronek has been placed on IR with an unclear timetable for return. Jeff Blashill has already confirmed Hronek missed Friday and Sunday’s matchups against the Islanders and Flames, respectively. Lashoff comes up as the presumable seventh defenseman.

Despite the Hronek injury, why Lashoff was recalled for emergency reasons is a mystery. It could be for insurance for Alex Biega, who is slated to play with a broken cheekbone. Gustav Lindstrom could also be returning to Grand Rapids soon.

There are plenty of moving parts to the Red Wings’ recent roster moves. The Goloubef claim is yet another monkey wrench being thrown into the fire.

Shortly after Goloubef was claimed off waivers, the team announced Lashoff will be returned to the Grand Rapids Griffins in accordance. That likely explains why the team claimed Goloubef: to keep the Griffins to full strength while the parent team battles the injury bug.