What about it, Steve? Can we start planning our Stanley Cup playoff parties?

“I'm not prepared to say that,” Yzerman said.

Yzerman at least admitted he saw progress from the team last season through its competitiveness against non-elite teams. But the key to making the playoffs is being competitive against better teams, which the Wings were not in the second half of the season. Surely no one has to be reminded of that 11-2 loss at Pittsburgh in late March.

“All the indicators of us were I don't think we were ready to contend last year,” he said. “In the second half, it kind of brought us back down to earth.

“So, you know, I go into this season (and) we'll see how we progress, if we can be more competitive on the road, match up a little bit better against the top teams when we go into their building. If we can win on back-to-back nights. That would give me some optimism that hey, maybe we can push for it.”

Then Yzerman said something that surprised me, something that indicated he’s clearly thinking about a path, however difficult, to the playoffs — he’s already thinking about the elite teams in the Atlantic Division.

“Today, not knowing what's going to happen, but today you'd say, you know, probably Toronto, Tampa and Florida,” he said. “There's the three teams in our division we expect to make the playoffs, and pick whichever three in the Metro.

“Then the rest of us are competing for two wild-card spots. And it's a real challenge. So I'm hoping we're there but time will tell on if I’ll be able to give you a better answer.”

Of course it’s difficult. Yzerman knows the Wings will be one of 10 teams fighting for those two wild-card spots. But it’s time for Yzerman and the Wings at least start talking about the playoffs as a goal. Because before I pestered — OK, badgered — Yzerman about the playoffs Wednesday, Moritz Seider had already started the playoff talk, back in late June after he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

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