Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Yzerman Renders Split Decision in Review of Coaching Staff
Detroit GM expects coaches to improve team defense
Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman started out singing the praises of head coach Derek Lalonde and his staff.
Then all of a sudden, he was singing a completely different.
Is Yzerman happy with the work of his coaching staff?
Yes and no.
His overeall message seems to be that while things are good and in the improving mode, the bottom line remains that overall, it still isn’t good enough.
“It was a roller coaster of a year as far as wins and losses,” Yzerman said. “We were humming along and then we couldn’t win a game. We were trying to figure it out.”
While he wasn’t finding the Jekyll-Hyde nature of his team to be an enjoyable experience, Yzerman did offer kudos to his coaching staff for keeping the team motivated.
Yzerman on the job Derek Lalonde has done: There's a lot of good things, I think we competed hard.
The most important thing is, from my vantage point is our players are motivated, our players are determined and there's a good atmosphere in the room. A lot of that is coaching.
— Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) April 19, 2024
“I think we competed hard,” Yzerman said. “I thought there was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of determination amongst the players.
“Obviously we weren’t perfect. But the most important thing from my vantage point is that our players are motivated, our players are determined. There’s a good atmosphere within the locker room.
“Part of that is the coaching staff helps foster that or create that. Overall, I’m happy with the direction we’re going, the coaching that we have.”
Yzerman Comes To Red Wings Defense With Growing Concern
Turning the subject to the club’s ability to play defense was causing Yzerman happy face to turn upside down.
“Ultimately, we gotta become a better defensive hockey team,” Yzerman said. “We have to improve in that area.
“It’s the fundamentals of defending. I’m counting on our coaching staff to work with our players and our players be determined to do that. It’s not necessarily the system, it’s the basic fundamentals of defending that at times this year we struggled with, and we need to address it again.”
My biggest takeaway from that Yzerman presser is that he saw what the rest of us did:
In order to take the next step, the Red Wings must get better at keeping the puck out of their own net.
— Devin L. (@HockeyWithDevin) April 19, 2024
Though Detroit was to reduce the club’s overall goals against from 275 down to 273, in the bigger picture, the Red Wings were slumping from 22nd to 24th in the league in goals allowed. They were 27th in the NHL in 5-in-5 goals against (189). The was an increase from the 183 allowed the season prior.
“It’s incumbent upon our coaching staff to instill or improve, continue to work on, whether it’s a different system or getting better in how we play and improving our players in the system,” Yzerman assessed of the club’s continuing defensive woes. “It’s practice, practice, practice for me and get it over with.”
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How many times did we see this Red Wings team not ready to play in the first period?
Same thing happened under Blashill but Losey has much more talent.
I’d turf Boughner because he likely thinks he’ll be the next head coach if/when the team fails.
Are we getting his best effort?
But how can Yzerman sign defensively flawed players and expect them to be good at playing defense?
Steve, YOU built this team.
You don’t get to use the “Holland left me a mess” crutch anymore.
Take Gostisbehere for example.
Yzerman wants to re-sign him.
He loves his points but turns a blind eye to how many goals are scored when he’s on the ice?
Does he think Ghost will be a shutdown defensive stalwart next season? 🙄
My guess is Yzerman likes Ghost on the PP and hopes next season the rest of the D will improve enough to cover his miscues. They have to score to win even if they put on a Defensive clinic every night. BTW A renewed focus on D isn’t good for Kane’s return.
I never even mentioned Kane.
He’s never played D in his life.
No one said the Red Wings have to put on a defensive clinic every night?
What are you talking about?
Do you always put words in people’s mouth’s?
God forbid I expect the Red Wings to improve their defense. 🙄
Must score goals!
Got it. 😬
If the veteran presence was there to show the young players how its done, how come it took a young player like Seider to hold up the back end? He was one of the few guys playing D seriously this year. 200 hits, 200 blocks. The vets on this team should be looking at those stats, should be looking at the age of the guy who produced them, and should be feeling shame. They should also be looking at Raymonds stats and feeling similar.
Two kids and their Captain drove this team this year. I think that shows the way the management should be thinking heading forward.
I think this year’s team over-shot the plan by a year or two and boosted fan expectations a little more than perhaps is now comfortable for Yzerman and co. Wings weren’t scoring enough. Luckily Kane stepped in and the team played D behind him for a while. Then they took it for granted, tripped up, and regrouped a game too late.
So next season its back to D is JOB 1. The Wings D will now have to be show-stoppers to get to 91 plus. Raymond thank goodness found his next level and without Kane sucking up his air, DeBrinkat will recover his scoring touch but they REALLY could use Berggren and Danielson to over achieve. WHILE the D stops the show. If so, 91 plus points could happen. Tall order IMHO.
Mark agreed but add in more consistent goaltending too. Lyon can be one of them but he needs a veteran partner. Sorry Husso is not the answer. He simply cannot stay healthy. Four injuries in two years. Its not his fault but they need to wish him luck and try it somewhere else. I do realize that the goaltending cannot improve without strong defense. I have articles that say the Wings are interested in goalie Jacob Markstrom. I would like somebody younger.
I like Danielson, feel he is maybe a year away. He impressed in camp but has not even played pro yet. The Wings really like a guy to have some American League experience and play a lot there. Raymond is the only one recently who came right to the NHL Its possible Danielson could do that but I doubt it. I do not know what to think about Berggren. Seems like he wants out but Steve did mention him in the press conference. He is a restricted free agent which means he cannot leave unless there is a trade or the Wings allow him to leave.
Doesn’t seem like Bergy will be on the team next season.
Yzerman doesn’t seem to value him much.
He didn’t draft him.
Bergy can’t do anything more in Grand Rapids to prove himself.
At least give the kid a chance to have an NHL career somewhere else.
Markstrom is 34 years old!
Interesting ideas about Berggren I still think he’s about to get his shot and figure he can excel. Yzerman will surprise us.
I think Lyon could be #1
I agree, I hope Stevie Y is ready to pay Mo and Lucas what they’re worth!!
Late season collapse two seasons in a row. We need a coach who has NHL head coaching experience. We tried first time head coaches for nine years now, it hasn’t worked.