Detroit Red Wings fans hoped the club could go out this summer and make a splash to bring in key pieces to help the team get back to the playoffs.
That hope partially came to fruition with the John Gibson trade. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman went out and finally landed a starting goaltender the team could rely on this upcoming season. Of course, Gibson’s success in Hockeytown depends on one crucial factor: His health.
Gibson aside, fans hoped that the team could bring in other key players to round out the lineup. Mitch Marner’s name floated around. So, did Nikolaj Ehlers’. But nothing materialized.
Yes, the Wings added players like James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, but nothing earth-shattering. These weren’t the kinds of signings that could turn the Red Wings into instant contenders in the Atlantic Division.
So, what’s the story?
As Elliotte Friedman pointed out in Sunday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Yzerman is staking his reputation on the team’s young core.
Friedman stated, "The thing about Yzerman, he believes, even if no one else believes in what he’s doing, he’s doing the right thing, and that is, drafting and developing their guys."
The comments underscore Yzerman’s long-term philosophy. As painful as it might be for Wings fans at the moment, Yzerman’s vision is building up talented, young players who can be part of a sustainable core for another potential three-decade-long playoff run, much like the one he headlined back in the mid-80s.
Friedman drilled down on the point by stating, "Yzerman is betting his reputation on, when all of these kids we've drafted and developed are ready, they're going to be players."
Check out Friedman’s comments from the 53:02 mark onwards.
Red Wings no longer offering long-term deals unless they’re a “home run”
Another interesting point Friedman made touched on how the Detroit Red Wings are not giving out long-term deals for veteran players unless they are a “home run.”
Friedman cited Nikolaj Ehlers as a prime example. Unless Yzerman can land a player like Ehlers, there will be no more four or five-year deals like the ones given to J.T. Compher or Andrew Copp.
Van Riemsdyk got a one-year contract, while Appleton got a two-year pact. These contracts highlight how the Red Wings’ philosophy is honed in on allowing young players to have clear paths to the NHL as opposed to having to jockey for position with veterans.
Plus, the Red Wings will need cap flexibility once their younger players need new contracts. By giving veterans short-term deals, the Wings won’t have to make costly deals to clear cap space to keep younger players.
The strategy doesn’t seem very popular now. But the Red Wings, at least as far as Friedman can see, are encouraged by how the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators made the playoffs this past season.
So, Yzerman believes the Red Wings could be the next team to make the leap to the playoffs. If that’s the case, the Atlantic Division could become a highly competitive division in the years to come.