from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Steve Yzerman, in eight years as Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, was progressive and aggressive.

He hired a coach with no NHL experience in Guy Boucher, fired him midway through his third season and brought in another first-time NHL coach in Jon Cooper....

This is why many expected Yzerman, who succeeded Ken Holland on April 19, to have an immediate impact with a series of bold moves as the new Detroit Red Wings GM: a significant trade, a buyout, a marquee free agent signing.

Didn’t happen. That shouldn’t be surprising, given salary-cap limitations, the current roster and the state of the team as a possible bottom-five club.

Yzerman’s effect won’t really be felt until next off-season.

He is rightfully taking a measured approach with a team likely to miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

He could have appeased some fans and sent a message with a buyout -- candidates included Justin Abdelkader (four years remaining at a $4.25 million cap hit), Frans Nielsen (three years at $5.25 million) and Darren Helm (two years at $3.85 million). But they didn’t need the cap room or roster spot, so why saddle the team with dead money for the next six-to-eight years?

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