Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman made a surprise appearance on Thursday to discuss the Red Wings’ trio of rookies in Emmitt Finnie, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Axel Sandin Pellikka, as noted by the Free Press’s Helene St. James…
“They’ve all looked good, so we felt that they’ve earned the opportunity and see if they can sustain it in the regular season, which we expect them to,” Yzerman said Thursday evening. “It was a very pleasant surprise that we weren’t necessarily expecting in the offseason.”
The Wings have tended to leave prospects in the minors till deemed well-and-ready for the NHL – last year, Marco Kasper was sent down after an outstanding camp, though he was recalled a week later – but this year, the three were on the 23-man roster from the start.
“Any young player, if we think they’re ready and we think they’re going to play and we meet with the coaching staff and what’s your plan, understanding the plan changes daily, but if they’re going to play and they’re ready to play, we’re more than happy to keep them,” Yzerman said.
‘They’ve been impressive. I’ve watched Finnie skate, and the poise and the smarts of Axel and his puck-handling skills back there. Michael’s shooting the puck and playing hard. He’s got a real element to his game. I think it’s obvious they’re talented young players. I’m hoping that translates now into the regular season. We’re expecting it, too, for all of them to have a positive impact.”
The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan…
“The core of the team, starting with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, had good years and we expect them to continue to get better,” Yzerman said. “Lucas Raymond and Mo (Seider) are in year 5 (of their careers) and they are entering the prime years. I expect all these young players to take another step. Our expectation with John (Gibson) in net, we’ll be stronger.
“For me, there’s a lot of excitement and curiosity to see how it will play out. But I”m expecting more from the players that were here last year.”
Yzerman feels players will be ready to start the season after an intense camp and preseason from coach Todd McLellan, in his first full camp with the Wings.
“It was (physical),” Yzerman said. “The scrimmages were very competitive, the practices. You sit up there and watch and see the engagement of the players, and the tempo was good. The players are motivated and professional and they work. The intensity was good.”
And MLive’s Ansar Khan:
“You watch Emmitt Finnie skate and, and the poise and the smarts of Axel and his puck-handling skills. Michael shooting the puck and playing hard and he’s got a real element to his game,” Yzerman said. “I think for the coaching staff, it’s exciting, for someone like Kris Draper, Dan Cleary, who drafted them (or) have been working with these guys, trying to get them ready for the NHL, it’s very exciting for everybody and the fans that have been following the team in the preseason. It’s obvious they’re talented young players and hoping that translates into the regular season. We’re expecting all of them to have a positive impact. Obviously, they’re going to make mistakes as time goes on in the league here, but they’re also going to show bright spots.”
“They don’t need waivers, so if they’re not playing, they’re not having an impact, send them right to GR and let them play,” Yzerman said. “It’s how the coaches use them. How much of an impact are they having? Hopefully, having a positive impact and they’re not losing their confidence. Let’s see how it all plays out.”
Yzerman said this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s inclined to bring up prospects sooner in the future.
“If they’re ready to play, we’re more than happy to keep them,” he said. “We try to keep an open mind. It’s not set in stone that a player has to go to the American League for X number of games or years, kind of let their play dictate when they’re going to be on the roster and to some extent how the coaching staff plans to use them.”
