DobberProspects’ Ben Gehrels discusses the Red Wings’ most recent NHL Draft haul, the Wings’ offseason moves and the events of note from the team’s Summer Development Camp and the World Junior Summer Showcase. He also offers a rather realistic take on the so-called “Yzerplan” as a full rebuild of the Red Wings’ franchise:
It feels like the “Yzerplan” has lost much of its lustre at this point, as both a gimmicky name and the shiny label on Detroit’s ongoing rebuild. That does not mean that rebuilding is stalling out or going sideways, just that these things take a while and some realism likely needed to creep in around the timeline and capabilities of GM Steve Yzerman.
Yzerman was asked in a recent interview whether he felt it was “playoffs or bust” for the Wings headed into 2024-25, and he characteristically tempered that question with a dose of his sound, steady realism: “I’m trying to build the nucleus of a team that can make the playoffs on an annual basis.” Detroit is obviously not going all-in on short-term success, selling off picks for expensive free agents and whatnot just to make the playoffs and appease the season ticket holders. They have a core, they have a vision, and they are building for the long-term.
That core is beginning to take shape, too.
No longer is this once-proud franchise icing a mediocre team consisting of Dylan Larkin and almost literally no one else. Up front, in addition to their speedy captain, they now boast Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond as elite pieces to build around. On the back end, not many teams feature as many young, high-upside defenders as Detroit does, with Mo Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Axel Sandin Pellikka, William Wallinder, Shai Buium, and more on the way. Finally, they have Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine moving up through the ranks in goal in case Ville Husso cannot rediscover the impeccable form from his St. Louis days (+14.95 GSAA in 2021-22) and lock down the starter’s role in Detroit longer term.
While this team might still miss the playoffs in 2024-24, Yzerman’s vision is slowly starting to emerge. And there is more help on the way with each successive draft.
Continued; Gehrels offers a very good read.
