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Red Wings: Three Takeaways from Yzerman’s Press Conference

By John Manzo |
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: (L-R) Steve Yzerman and Ross Yates of the Detroit Red Wings attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: (L-R) Steve Yzerman and Ross Yates of the Detroit Red Wings attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman spoke to media Monday following an aggressive day of deadline deals.

First-year Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made two deals with the Edmonton Oilers Monday, trading forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner, along with defenseman Mike Green for two second round draft picks, a likely fourth rounder and forward Sam Gagner.

Here’s three moments from the Yzerman press conference that stood out.

article, Yzerman said, ““several teams” had serious interest in Athanasiou.”
article, Yzerman said, ““several teams” had serious interest in Athanasiou.” /

What that should tell you is that Yzerman had many conversations and analyzed all options before making the Oilers deal. Heck, it was all but a done deal with Athanasiou heading to Columbus, if you were reading the Twitter feeds, that is. And that’s why you only pay attention to the blue check marks, folks.

Anyways, with Yzerman reviewing the value in totality, you must think he received the most for what he could with Athanasiou, and it only would have diminished with his pending restricted free agency at seasons end.

Yzerman also mentioned the lack of interest in both goaltender’s on the roster. Him stating this showed his effort to push against all avenues.

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Last week, Yzerman claimed defenseman Cody Goloubef off waivers from Ottawa. On Monday, he scooped forward Dmytro Timashov. During the press conference, Yzerman noted, “it’s going to take time. “How much time? I don’t know, and I can’t give specifics, but what we’re going to do now, we’re trying to acquire more draft picks to acquire more prospects.”

Goloubef isn’t necessarily a prospect at 30 years old, but between additions of Brendan Perlini, Robby Fabbri and Adam Erne, among others, Yzerman likes to make low-risk attempts to better the roster, and you can’t blame him for trying to experiment during a meaningless statistical season.

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 14: Head coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 14, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Red Wings defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 14: Head coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 14, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Red Wings defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

This is one of the most interesting nuggets from the press conference for me. Either Yzerman genuinely wants to retain head coach Jeff Blashill or he’s lying to our faces and wants to keep high morale in the locker room before letting him go at seasons end.

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At the press conference, Yzerman said, “it’s unfair to judge Jeff Blashill on our team’s record – really it is. “As of right now, I don’t plan to make a (coaching) change (at the end of the season), so you read into that what you want.”

Fans can be frustrated at a lack of firing Blashill, but let’s wait until the season ends because it’s easy to say this now versus April.

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