Recently I came across an article regarding Red Wings’ fans calling for the firing of Steve Yzerman. This is absolute lunacy. He has completely rebuilt a barren prospect pool in less than five years, and has done so with an eye toward the long-term competitiveness of the organization. At the time of his 2019 draft year, hockey experts pegged Moritz Seider as a mid to late first rounder. Yzerman took him at 6th overall, the results being that the shut-down defenseman was named rookie of the year in 2021-22 after leading all rookie D-men with 50 points. Following this up, the Wings made elite-skating defenseman Simon Edvinsson the 6th pick in 2021, and took D-man Axel Sandin Pellikka, an established Swedish pro as an 18-year old, with the 17th overall pick in 2023. Forward-wise, Yzerman took winger Lucas Raymond with the 4th pick in 2020, and he is already approaching point-per-game status at 21 years old. When you combine this with the Wings’ top-notch goaltending prospects (namely Cossa & Augustine), inking star forward Dylan Larkin to a long term deal, and adding veterans who have been major playoff contributors in the past, there isn’t much more a GM can do.
October 5, 2024