from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
"Going into our West Coast road trip we had a plan in place and winning (during that trip) kind of just delayed things a little bit," Yzerman said. "The two games in Ottawa kind of reaffirmed where I think we're at. I'm pleased with the development of our team but how both games played out, it was clear to me we have work to do.
"It's only two games but that was pretty indicative of so many different areas of the game we have to improve upon and it's my job to address the needs.
"The last few days, it was pretty clear to me definitely the right thing to do was look toward the future."
After meeting with Bertuzzi's representatives, it was apparent to Yzerman there likely wouldn't be a much of a chance of re-signing the forward. The trade with Boston (a 2024 first-round pick and 2025 fourth-round pick), said Yzerman, was fair for both sides.
"I did have some discussion early in the season with Todd Reynolds, Tyler's representative, and we really didn't get anywhere," Yzerman said. "We talked briefly before the trade deadline and that didn't lead to anything. Ultimately at the deadline it's should we hang on to him and see where the season goes and maybe take another shot (at the end of the season). I was comfortable with the return (for the trade) and we move on."
read on ($)
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press on Vrana,
from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
Yzerman explained his rationale on Friday, shortly after the trade deadline.
We traded the guys we couldnt sign or for whatever reason werent going to sign, Yzerman said on his media Zoom call. So, I say to our fanbase, I understand the frustration and disappointment. But if our ultimate goal is to compete with the best teams in the league, this is what Im doing, and if it doesnt work out, its on me.
He values being in a playoff race the Red Wings are five points out of the final wild card spot with 21 games remaining. But ultimately, he decided the team was not going to compete with the leagues elite and, at least in Bertuzzis case, he didnt want to lose him for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.
If I thought that this group had a chance to not just make (the playoffs) but really go on a run, maybe you keep your team together, Yzerman said. If I thought we were a Stanley Cup contender, I would not have traded our unrestricted free agents. I would have continued to play it out and say, Were making a run and whatever happens, happens. But were not at that point yet.
read on
I am sad, I am mad, but after reading this, I feel better:)
So after today it appears the Wings are back to the second row of bricks in the rebuild. There's a foundation (first row) upon which to build with partial bricks (second row) to supplement. But in all honesty the Wings have stumbled badly this season. Sure they've taken baby steps towards making the playoffs, but is there anyone on here that believes the Wings are truly post-season contenders?
Not even Yzerman does; he said so. What has happened is theyve taken a step back. Yet again they have a lot of exciting draft picks, a few exciting prospects, and not many exciting NHL players.
You cant win like that.
from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Back-to-back losses to the Ottawa Senators didnt transform Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman from a buyer into a seller.
I was not going to be a buyer under any circumstances, Yzerman said after Fridays NHL Trade Deadline passed. Not this year.
Yzerman said he had a plan for the deadline in place heading into the teams Western road trip. The plan was to keep their young players, look for trade opportunities and make decisions about pending UFAs. But the Red Wings then went 4-1 on that five-game trip. It gave us food for thought, delayed some things, Yzerman said.
The pause only lasted long enough for Yzerman to see the two one-sided losses to Ottawa. It probably made it a little bit easier, Yzerman said.
Yzerman put his plan in place and when the dealing was done Friday, Yzerman had traded Jakub Vrana, Filip Hronek, Tyler Bertuzzi and Oskar Sundqvist. The plan also included getting Dylan Larkin, Jake Walman and Olli Maatta re-signed.
continued
Overall he made sense, but the local press just throws up the same softball questions leading to the same talking points. Nobody asked what happened with JVR/PHI I assume (couldnt watch it all). Nobody asked if he regrets any of last summers FA signings or what the point of it even was given the results were meh and only hurt them in the Bedard lottery (understand the Vrana / Bert absences couldnt be anticipated, but why was Bert even still there?). Nobody asked about Zadina. THOSE are the questions I wanted asked.
On the JVR deal, one of the Canadian networks stated that a 3rd party was going to take on part of his contract, and they backed out thus nixing the trade.
I mean fundamentally was last summer the time to try taking a step forward with FAs given the depth of this coming draft? How does that happen?
It seems almost lazy. They went out and got Copp and Chiarot, big returns at the last deadline, but did they pay any attention to what they were actually getting at those cap hits? Im not so upset about anyone else, and theyve made a lot of great moves, but how do you justify that? You shot yourselves in the D, for what? Some barely replacement guys? Good luck moving those deals if you want bring up some kids.
Theyre too old school. Hate to say it. They follow too much and dont lead.
And if they dont give Ed 9 games, theyre fucking nuts. I have questions about this Yzerplan.
Maybe I had a more realistic opinion of this team than others here.
I see the Wings took a step forward this year.
Heres why: they were much more competitive and developed some of the young players. The defense took a major step forward.
However the trade of Hronek and lack of right shot prospects means this is area that must be addressed in the offseason. But Walman exceeded expectations and Maatta played well and cemented that 2nd pair regardless of partner. Chariot was exactly what insiders statedminute grabbing all situation 2nd pairing d-man (two years from now expect that to be a 3rd pairing d-man).
Ive been saying for a while this team lacks the superstars that can propel teams to playoff wins (everyone knows my pro-tanking stance), but I will be the first to admit that the middle-six talent is deep.
They have Larkin who is a very good 2 way centre (I just consider him a 2nd line centre on a championship team). They have Raymond (who has taken a step forward defensively and will finish around the same number of goals but slightly behind last years point totals). But given ex-line mate Bertuzzis inability to stay healthy, thats not all that shocking. With the cap room and picks this could 1st line need could be addressed this offseason or next years trade deadline.
I expect Copp to be much better 13 months out from core surgery. And I hope that everyone realizes that Ras is a winger not a centre. Vrana was a huge disappointment and you could tell SY wanted him out of the organization at any cost. Kubalik and Perron wore down as the year went onor simply came back down to Earth. Fabbri did his usualincluding health issues. So they have options on that 2nd line.
Veleno appears to have cemented a centre position on the bottom 6. Berggren and Soderblom proved they were NHL talent and only waivers exemption could stop them. I even was happy about Suter providing scoring depth during key moments.
Where I see a problem is that SY doesnt see Kasper or Edvinsson as NHL ready. He specifically mentioned Johansson and that concerns me for a franchise that has seen multiple prospects underachieve draft expectations.
Its time to use that draft capital and bundle for higher end talent. I would say go after the big UFAbut there arent any. So I expect to see some significant moves at the draft. Let us all hope for a little lottery luck from the Wings and bad luck to the Isles.
In the meantime-tank.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.