Detroit Red Wings: Failure is not an option for Steve Yzerman

When the Detroit Red Wings hired Steve Yzerman to be their eleventh General Manager in franchise history Friday, it immediately became one of the best days in franchise history. It mirrors the fans excitement of winning the Stanley Cup or landing Scotty Bowman to be the next bench boss. For Steve Yzerman, failure is not an option.

Some people will play the Alan Trammell card, what if his tenor goes the same route as Trammell’s did while the Detroit Tigers were rebuilding? I’ve seen this written a few times, but in my mind, there is a significant difference. Trammell was the manager of the Tigers, and Yzerman is the GM of the Detroit Red Wings, very different positions.

Yzerman will have the opportunity to make the tough calls on players and staff. Trammell simply had to use the resources made available to him, throw them into a blender and hope for the best. Trammell did fail with the Tigers but the team was in transition from what is remembered as some of the worst years in team history, and he could only do so much. I admit it was a bad look for Trammell being that the Detroit Tigers elevated in 2006 the year after Trammell was canned in favor of Jim Leyland.

People mention it is a risk for Steve Yzerman to return to a place he’s admired and loved because it could tarnish his legacy if he were to stumble. I will say when you mention Alan Trammell I revert to his playing days rather than his managerial work so I wouldn’t over think the decision too much. The truth is I’ve also seen the comparisons between Yzerman and Pistons legend Joe Dumars. A much better comparison because Dumars was at the top of the mountain with the Pistons and had tremendous success.

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Dumars won Executive of the Year and built an underdog that would go onto win the NBA title in 2004. The Pistons made the Eastern Conference finals six straight seasons under the direction of Dumars, but the wheels eventually fell off when the GM made a critical mistake in the 2003 NBA Draft selecting Darko Milicic, in turn, passing on players like Dwane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

The hope in Detroit is that Steve Yzerman has Dumars type success without the whiff on Darko. Yzerman is a legend in Detroit, can you imagine if he were able to bring another championship to this city? He would be elevated past legend and icon throughout Metro Detroit and in the eyes of Wings’ fans across the world. Right now when you ask folks who is the greatest Detroit Red Wings player of all time, they will say either Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman. Although his success now won’t be on the ice and the question is directed to on-ice success, people will bypass that and consider Yzerman 1A and Howe 1B.

The fact that Yzerman has experience running a successful franchise in Tampa Bay bodes well for the future of the Detroit Red Wings. Although he was unable to capture what is considered the Holy Grail in the hockey world, he’s built a perennial contender, and in today’s NHL which is full of parody, that’s all you can ask of a GM.

Yzerman’s drafting success comes with a little bit of luck but also shows he has an eye for talent. He drafted Nikita Kucherov in the second round, Brayden Point in the third round, they are both 40 goal scorers. It, of course, is not all Yzerman it’s the team of scouts he’s assembled over the years. The expectation is he puts the best people in the best position for success, and the Wings’ will once again become a contender.

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It may take some time, and there are likely going to be ups and downs, but in the end, I expect Yzerman to be successful and be with the Detroit Red Wings until he decides to retire. This isn’t a stepping stone, this is a destination, and that should excite Detroit Red Wings fans more than anything. Steve Yzerman is home to stay!

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