ESPN’s Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski posted an Insider-only list of free agency grades for each and every one of the NHL’s 31 teams. Here’s what they had to say about the Red Wings:
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Detroit won’t be rebuilt in a summer, according to Steve Yzerman’s first moves at the helm of the Red Wings. Patrik Nemeth is a nice addition to the blue line at two years and $3 million AAV. Valtteri Filppula‘s return to Detroit for two years is the kind of move for which Ken Holland would have been demolished, but for which Yzerman gets a “because he’s Steve Yzerman” pass.
Next summer is when he’ll really be able to put a stamp on the roster. — Wyshynski
Continued (paywall), and I was surprised with the amount of flak Yzerman got for drafting Moritz Seider and then signing Filppula. The Yzerplan may be popular, but Yzerman himself isn’t bulletproof by any means necessary, and the Red Wings’ fan base is still…itchy and twitchy.
SY did well to fill the lacking C with Fil at 2 yrs/3 M per.
Wyshynski doesn’t recognize KH would have given upwards of 4-5 yrs at 4-5M each.
I have no idea why these opinions from non hockey people are worth a read. I would bet Stevie Y never reads them. Opinions are OK if they come from knowledgeable people. Fans know more than dumb dumbs working everyday to write this dribble and get paid for it. This does not include you George.