Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen took note of this quip from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s post-free agency day (day one, anyway) press conference:
Yzerman believes strongly that youngsters shouldn’t be given a roster spot until they earn it. That was how Lucas Raymond made the Red Wings last season. He was exceptional in training camp and in the preseason.
“If our young guys are really good, we are in a position that we will we will create a spot for them,” Yzerman said. “Having too many good players is never a problem.”
Yzerman believes he’s buying free agents. He has more than $10 million in cap space, although he still needs to re-up Wallman and Filip Zadina.
“I don’t have a blockbuster in the works or anything like that,” Yzerman said. ” I think we get through free agency and kind of explore some teams that have to make moves in light of what’s happened. It’s important to keep looking around, keep communicating with other teams around the league to see if there is any potential fit, but I don’t expect to announce any future signings. “
