General manager Steve Yzerman was blunt in his assessment of what the Detroit Red Wings need to take a step forward as he addressed the media on Thursday.
“We need better players,” Yzerman said reflecting on a season in which Detroit missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season. “We need to improve specifically in certain areas. We can talk about goal scoring; we need to improve in that area, particularly five-on-five.
“Collectively, if you’re watching the playoffs, and I’m assuming and I’m hoping our players are, to play with the intensity and determination needed to be successful to make the playoffs and get there. But ultimately it’s incumbent upon me and my staff to improve the team.”
Yzerman said the team needs more production from their top players. Winger Alex DeBrincat led the team with 41 goals and 85 points in 82 games, ahead of forward Lucas Raymond, who had 25 goals and 76 points in 80 games, and captain Dylan Larkin, who posted 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games. Defenceman Mortiz Seider was the only other player on the team to hit 60 points, nailing the mark with 10 goals and 50 assists in 82 games.
“We need to change some things,” Yzerman added. “But (we’re) not just gonna go and get rid of everyone. But there needs to be some very blunt conversations with some of our players, and challenge them to do more and be better to get there.
“But ultimately, again, we need to surround them with more talent. And having said that, we still need more from some of our very key players.”
The Red Wings held a playoff spot for most of the season while battling for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The team, however, limped to an 8-12-4 record after the Olympic break, losing their chance to end the longest active playoff drought in the NHL.
Yzerman argued Thursday that the Red Wings were not as strong as their 33-19-6 record reflected entering the Olympic break.
“Truthfully, throughout the course of the season… we had concerns. (Head coach Todd McLellan) and I talked about it…we, as a staff. We’re winning games. We see the deficiencies, the areas that we need to improve upon – that probably goes for every team. You’re never totally comfortable, regardless of where you’re at. … We were third overall or something, and we’re like, ‘Let’s be realistic. I don’t think we’re as good as our record at the time, but we are winning games.’”
Yzerman was hired by the Red Wings in 2019 as the team began a rebuild, but has yet to be able to get the team over the postseason hump. He insisted Thursday he remains committed to helping the franchise take that step forward.
“I would say at this stage, a week after the season, you really need to take some time to assess where we’re at, how we’re doing things, what everyone’s role is,” Yzerman said. “Talk to ownership a little bit about where we’re at, and how do we move forward here? Like ultimately, my responsibility is to do (in) everything what’s right for the organization. I intend to see that through. But that’s not to say that things can’t be changed around here.”
The Red Wings are set to have a whopping $32.8 million in cap space this summer with 15 players currently under contract for next season, per PuckPedia. Veteran forwards Patrick Kane, David Perron and James van Riemsdyk are slated for unrestricted free agency, along with blueliner Travis Hamonic and goaltender Cam Talbot. Defenceman Simon Edvinsson is the team’s lone restricted free agent.
