DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills reviews Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s remarks regarding his unrestricted free agent haul late last week, discussing Yzerman’s belief that his team has improved, but has to continue building under the guidance of its new coaching staff:
Yzerman, heading into his fourth season as the Red Wings’ executive vice president and general manager, hopes the new additions will help improve team defense and special teams, but knows progress doesn’t happen overnight.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Yzerman said. “We’ve got a lot of improving left to do. But the new players coming in and with our small nucleus of remaining players with the young kids coming in, I think we’re trending in the right direction.”
Under new coach Derek Lalonde and his staff, the Red Wings enter the 2022-23 campaign ready to build on a strong foundation of young talent. While the excitement level is high in Hockeytown, Yzerman wants to be realistic when evaluating Detroit’s rebuild.
“Time will tell,” Yzerman said. “I’m optimistic that we’re progressing, but the plan really hasn’t changed. I’m sticking with what I intended to do – keep younger guys and be patient with them, keep our draft picks and continue to build this way.”
Looking ahead, Yzerman added that he doesn’t anticipate making further splashes in free agency but is “always looking at ways to get better.”
“I don’t have a blockbuster in the works or anything like that,” Yzerman said. “I think we get through free agency and explore some teams that have to make moves in light of what’s happened. I think it’s important to keep looking around and keep communicating with other teams around the league to see if there’s any potential fit, but I wouldn’t expect me to announce any future signings.”
