The Hockey News’s Stan Fischler spoke with Red Wings executive vice-president Jimmy Devellano for an interview published today:
On Building Detroit’s First Championship Team: “We had Steve Yzerman but we needed a few more superstars to go along with him. We got two in the 1989 Draft — Lidstrom and Fedorov — so we had three world-class players. We then made a deal to add a power forward, Brendan Shanahan, giving up Paul Coffey and Keith Primeau!!! These four players drove the bus.”
About The Current Rebuild: “It’s been long and tough but we are making slow, gradual progress and getting better. We now have terrific young players such as Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Moritz Seider, the young defenseman who won the Calder Trophy.
Looking Ahead: “Those young players are the building blocks and we’ll keep adding to them. Steve has acquired a lot of extra Draft picks and is using them wisely.”
Playoff Possibilities: “I suspect that we’re getting closer to competing for a playoff spot but now — in a 32-team NHL — it’s never been so tough with 16 teams not making it. I feel that we’re two seasons away but we are getting better.”
Overall Overview: “Steve Yzerman has just completed his third season. We have improved some in each of his three seasons and we will be somewhat better in the upcoming season because he added four good players from Free Agency in July. Steve got goalie Ville Husso, right wing David Perron, who can score, Andrew Copp, who can play center or wing, and Ben Chiarot, a defenseman who is big and mobile. These four players are upgrades for us. I believe that our team can push for 90 points!”
