Red Wings senior vice president Jimmy Devellano spoke with MLive’s Ansar Khan regarding the numerous ties between the Wings and the management of the Dallas Stars (see: GM Jim Nill, director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell, assistant coach Todd Nelson) and Tampa Bay Lightning (see: Steve Yzerman helped build their roster; assistant GM Stacy Roest and assistant coach Derek Lalonde).
Khan illustrates said ties while discussing Nill and Yzerman’s respective managerial ascents but Devellano’s most interesting comments involve the team he still works for:
“I’m kind of proud because both teams have Red Wings-trained backgrounds,” Devellano said. “It’s nice to see.
“Now we have to figure out how to get our house in order. We’ll find a way. It’s just going to take some time. There is no easy way out of this. We need to get luckier in the draft.”
They weren’t lucky in the lottery, dropping to fourth overall despite finishing 23 points below anyone else.
“It’s unfortunate, but we got to do what we got to do,” Devellano said. “As I always say to Steve, ‘We got you at No. 4. Just find another you.’ “
Continued with Khan’s Cup Final pick…
“We got you at #4. Just find another you.” I can’t agree more Mr. Devellano and thankfully SY19 is the best man for the job.