In this episode of The Hockey Writers Grind Line, Detroit Red Wings writers Devin Little and Evan Sabourin get together with producer Matthew Zator to discuss the progress of the Yzerplan, evaluate the free agents that Steve Yzerman signed during the 2023 offseason, whether the Red Wings will make the playoffs, and more.
0:00 Intro
1:33 One Good, One Bad From the Past Week
6:19 Progress of the Yzerplan
16:07 How much longer do you give Yzerman as the GM?
19:50 Justin Holl
23:49 Shane Gostisbehere
25:56 JT Compher
28:19 Daniel Sprong
30:43 Christian Fischer
32:54 Patrick Kane
37:19 Alex Lyon
39:34 James Reimer
42:28 Will the Red Wings make the playoffs?
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13 Comments
It is literally incredible when I consider that Kane scored his OT goal in Chicago two weeks ago. That was a high point of the season and everything seemed so hopeful – talking about going off a cliff. As they mentioned last night on TV – Alex Lyon had started 14 games in a season in his career. Last night he started his 34th game. Obviously, the wheels were going to come off of him – that is so predictable. I was expecting that before the trade deadline but I did not realize how few games he had ever started. As far as Yzerman I still think he is one of the best GMs in the business – I do not /did not understand some of the off-season signings – especially Holl. I hear a lot of fans talk about Petry that is not really accurate – that is a unique situation where he wanted out of Montreal – so he took a trade to Pittsburgh – they needed to clear cap space for Erik Karlsson. and he was only interested in playing in Detroit – Montreal and Pittsburgh ate a lot of his salary. I do not understand considering it was very clear we were going through a re-build – why the chase after these mediocre at best free agents. Like many have said – why not at least have those young players developing at the NHL level rather than seeing these free agents fail horribly. Like Evan said – I would much rather see Edvinsson, Johansson, and Wallinder I'm sure they are going to make mistakes but they might learn from them – and i doubt they are going to be worse than what we are seeing. I think back i would be very disappointed if Patrick Kane didn't show up. I was pretty convinced that he was really into playing for Detroit. Lastly – where did Alex Debrincat go? Lastly what makes it MORE frustrating is I was suspicious several years ago that the best GM in hockey – was already on the team – Jim Nill and we let him walk out the door many years ago.
Compher and copp will look like ridiculously bad contracts in a couple years. We need to eat 2 million and get rid of copp and replace him with kasper next season before copp becomes the highest paid 4c in the league
It’s about time Albert Johansson has his name dropped on this show. All those nmc on the Detroit blue line is a self inflicted wound
No elite talent. No stars in GR. Just depth pieces. Depth is crucial but you win with stars. And I predicted Debrincat. Total bust for 4 more years. Team is going nowhere and will bad for years. Sorry but it's true. It'll have to be torn down again
0 NHL centers in 5 years, literally the most important position in hockey. If Cossa fails, my god we are screwed. Log jammed defensive prospects for lazy slow vets, not sure why people are impressed with his job.
I still think Holl is a better option than Petry!
The team seems to reflect Lalondes attitude. Which is oh golly, gosh geez, you know we’re not suppose to be here. WHAT? You decide where you’re supposed to be, not the media. I will give them that they weren’t expecting Husso to be out this long but you knew he couldn’t handle a big workload and you get another guy who can’t in Lyon along with Reimer. I wish they traded Gostisbehere and I don’t want him back. I’m not convinced Walman is a top pair guy. They need someone else there. He might do much better further down in the lineup.
No discussion about Lalonde? He should be let go, especially if they miss playoffs. He clearly can’t manage goalies. The way he dumped on Ned last year still bothers me. Husso and Lyon following script. For being an ex-goalie it is weird he has trust issues when it comes to netminders.
It's hard to comprehend how bad the Red Wings have become. They can't defend or score, and their lack of hustle or work ethic is disappointing at best. I think the coaching staff needs to go for sure, and possibly Yzerman if he doesn't turn things around soon.
You can’t say this has been a good year til it’s over. Let’s see where they end up. 5 years is long enough for anyone to build a playoff team. This team seems to lack heart. Petry, Holl, Chairot need to be gone. I like Buffalo’s future better than ours.
You have to balanced load for both these goals, you cannot overwork Alex Lyon at this time. Where are the 2-way forwards like Datsyuk and Zetterberg? where are the puck possession players? why are we chasing the opposing players and the puck and always behind in terms of goals at the end of first or second period. Even if they make it playoffs by hook or nook when Larkin returns will they not get blown out in the first round with Panthers or Rangers. Can they even compete with those teams? Why don't we hire Nicklas Lidstrom as defensive coach for few years (if he agrees)? Why is this team being beaten by good and teams last in the table. ?
Hronik is the second best D-man in Vancouver right now – just a little salt in the
You guys have to realize that the only prospects we have playing right now that yzerman drafted are Raymond and seider, and think about how great they’ve been. While I agree some moves yzerman made are questionable, it’s not fair to judge him when the team he drafted hasn’t even played in the leauge yet. If In a few years from now more prospects are playing and we’re still in this situation, then it’s fair to question yzerman. This is not the real team yet.