The Free Press’s Shawn Windsor reflects upon Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s free agency moves this morning, suggesting that Yzerman’s additions have accelerated the timeline of the Red Wings’ rebuilding effort:
Even now, after the biggest spending spree in years, Steve Yzerman won’t commit to the goal of making the playoffs. Which isn’t to say it’s not his goal for the Detroit Red Wings team he manages.
He just won’t say it publicly. He’d rather his team learn how to win first. His moves in free agency this week should help that.
It’s not an accident five of the six players Yzerman signed this week have playoff experience. Three of them — Ben Chiarot, David Perron and Olli Määtä —have played in the Stanley Cup Finals. The other two, Andrew Copp and Dominik Kubalik, won a playoff series this spring; Copp played in the conference finals.
Though the newcomers aren’t here as tutors. They can play, too, and give the Wings depth, savvy, offense and, most critically, defense.
“I think we improved the team,” Yzerman said Thursday. “I’m optimistic.”
But?
“The plan hasn’t changed,” he said.
