Two things, one message: Wings prepare to develop, educate prospects

Of Red Wings-related note this morning:

1. MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article discussing the Red Wings’ 2019 draft class. Before Khan breaks down the Wings’ 11 picks, he takes note of the Red Wings’ GM’s version of Ken Holland’s “You Can’t Rush the Kids” mantra:

“The danger is we all want our draft picks playing as soon as possible; it helps justify the picks a little bit,” Yzerman told media at the draft. “Ultimately, you really have to make sure you’re doing what’s right for these kids, that they’re playing at a level that they can be competitive and improve and excel at. 

“There is stress. Very few 18-year-olds play in the NHL today. Now that they’re in the fold, we’ll try to set them up as best as we can, educate them and provide them with resources to develop and then we’ll see. If it’s one year, two years, three years … some of these kids will be five years. It doesn’t mean they’re not going to be good players. But it’s going to take five years for some of them.”

Khan continues, and it’s a relief to read Yzerman stating that the Wings will take player development on a case-by-case basis.

2. The Free Press’s Helene St. James also posted a Monday morning article offering “takeaways” from the draft. HSJ also quotes Yzerman as his draft-day comments pertained to this week’s development camp at Little Caesars Arena, which begins on Tuesday:

The newest crop of picks start their immersion into the organization at this week’s development camp. There’ll be daily on-ice activities culminating with a scrimmage Saturday. The value from the Wings’ point of view is more about what happens off the ice. 

“You get to know the kids a little bit, and educate them if they need it,” Yzerman said. “And then try to set them up.”

This entails educating the prospects on what they need to do in the kitchen and in the gym to put themselves in the best position to further their careers. “Make sure they understand what they need to do — the lifestyle, the education, the training, to get to the NHL,” Yzerman said. “It’s more education and development than conditioning.”

St. James also continues…