Detroit Red Wings: Trust in Steve Yzerman and the Yzer-plan
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings rebuild is well underway, and it is in year two of the Steve Yzerman sponsored Yzer-plan that started in April of 2019.
The Detroit Red Wings 2019-20 season is a wash at this point, all that matters is the outcome of the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery. Red Wings General Manager (GM), Steve Yzerman, has entered into year two of his tenure with the organization’s front office.
After former Red Wings, GM Ken Holland departed last season the rumors of a return of Hockeytown and Detroit’s adopted son immediately came in fruition. In April of 2019, the news had broke that Yzerman was coming home to the organization and taking control of the rebuild.
In his first year as the leader of this rebuild, Yzerman made some changes, made a surprise of a draft choice, and saw a lot of losing. Last June, Yzerman would make a selection that initially shocked Red Wings fans, but things have changed since then.
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The future of this organization’s defense core partially rides on the development and success of Moritz Seider, who has blossomed into a well-liked prospect.
He would also send a draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning to acquire one of his “well-liked” grinder forwards in Adam Erne.
Erne is not a scorer and certainly proved that he is not going to be on the scoresheet much, but he is a serviceable third-line forward when deployed.
When free agency hit, Yzerman went out and brought in a backup goalie that came in pretty clutch.
Goaltending prospect Filip Larsson was not viable with the Griffins and had to be sent down to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
Injuries to Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier left Calvin Pickard as the insurance policy. He also signed defender Patrik Nemeth who played a TON during the season.
More of a gritty defender, Nemeth still served a purpose with this Red Wings team. Yzerman then had to sit back while the Red Wings went out and just forgot how to be a hockey team and lost, and lost, and lost some more.
Now that the page turns to year two, and this year’s draft could be one of the most important for the future of this Red Wings rebuild. Free agency will be just as key, and Red Wings fans need to trust in the Yzer-plan and let him get the job done.
Throughout this summer or whenever the season gets finished, the Red Wings will learn their fate in the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery. With the first overall pick, it is a no brainer for Alexis Lafrenière, but if not, Yzerman will have to do some research and decide who is best for this rebuild.
Following the NHL Draft, Yzerman will have to get down to business in free agency, working on deals with all of the restricted free agents and hopefully shopping for a big name defenseman. With any luck, Torey Krug will be a part of the Yzer-plan and the Red Wings future.
The next few months are going to give fans a fantastic idea as to what the future of this Red Wings team will look like. All of this hinges on the Yzer-plan, and whatever the GM is looking to get going during his second year back home in Hockeytown.
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Fans need to sit back and let the Yzer-plan keep on rolling to hopefully end this Detroit Red Wings rebuild sooner rather than later. One thing is sure; Steve Yzerman will right the ship, after-all he is the adopted son for this city and this fanbase.
Trust Stevie Y and his Yzer-plan.