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Hard to Argue With Draft Strategy of Red Wings Yzerman

Six Yzerman draft picks now part of Red Wings roster

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Moritz Seider, Red Wings
Moritz Seider is among six draft picks made by current GM Steve Yzerman playing for the Red Wings.

Is Steve Yzerman’s record as GM of the Detroit Red Wings spotless? Hardly. Has he made some questionable decisions with UFA contracts? Most certainly.



Is the so-called Yzerplan a failure? Absolutely not.

And if you’re in that group of Red Wing fans who’ve been suggesting that it’s time replace Yzerman, well, then you really haven’t been paying to what’s unfolding right before your very eyes.

Just take a look at the Detroit roster. The signs of a plan coming together are all over the ice.

Currently, the Red Wings are suiting up a half dozen players who were Yzerman draft picks. And almost every one of them is playing a key role for a team that is 10-4-1 over the past 15 games.

Lucas Raymond (4th overall, 2020) and Marco Kasper (8th overall, 2022) skate on the top line with captain Dylan Larkin.

Moritz Seider (6th overall, 2019) and Simon Edvinsson (6th overall, 2021) are top-four defenders.

Beyond them, Albert Johansson (60th overall, 2019) is playing in Detroit’s second defense pairing alongside Edvinsson.

Massive winger Elmer Soderblom (159th overall, 2019) was recently summoned from AHL Grand Rapids for his second NHL look. In his brief tenure, he’s shown more upside than the majority of Detroit’s bottom-six forwards. He’s displaying an impressive skill set for a big man. And he knows how to use his hulking frame to protect the puck.

“What he brings to the table, it’s great to have,” Larkin said of the 6-foot-8, 248-pound Soderblom. “I was really impressed with his attitude and how he handled himself.”

Red Wings McLellan Putting Faith In Future

Just as importantly, in new coach Todd McLellan, Yzerman has installed a bench boss who’s not afraid to give the kids a chance. There always seemed to be a reluctance with previous coach Derek Lalonde to allow his younger players opportunities in roles of significance.

“To see the kids come in and play now is really important,” McLellan said. “It’s really rewarding for everybody in the organization, including the fans.”

That’s going to be even more important going forward. Soon, more of Yzerman’s draftees will be arriving in Detroit. Players like goalie Sebastian Cossa, defensemen Axel Sandin Pellikka and William Wallinder and forwards Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will be pushing for spots.

“Forward thinking, with the type of players I hear are coming, if they maintain their development path, there’s going to be more of them arriving and hopefully they can do what this group of young men have done.”

It might be too late this season to get to the playoffs. As good as the Red Wings are playing under McLellan, the climb they’re facing is an arduous one.

Still, positives abound. In McLellan, the right coach is finally in place. Home-grown talent is beginning to take over key roles on the team.

Detroit’s future isn’t merely hopeful. It’s suddenly glowing with brightness.

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RWHockey13

Excellent article and very good. Love it and great stuff.

bigfoot

Great thoughts here !

…. But no mention of ASP or Buchelnikov ?? I know that the time-line on the Russian kid is likely a couple years away… but shouldn’t Stevie get ASP over here to North America “sooner, rather than later ??

thx, Bigfoot

John P.

The stupidity on social media is endless. A team rebuilding from scratch is a long, tedious, frustrating affair that usually ends in failure. Yzerman has nailed the two most important factors in a rebuild, and that’s drafting and player development. The short term, free agent contracts are meaningless when it comes to the outcome of the rebuild. You can see this team transitioning from the veterans to the young guys, and it’s been impressive.

Julian

Tigers said it was too late to get into the playoffs but they kept winning and got in.
I see Redwings in a similar situation where playing young studs lead to winning streaks and they too will make the playoffs as long as long as Husso does not start any more games.
Go Wings!

MICHAEL C ZACK

He has built a stockpile of talent. This off-season he needs to cash some of that on for a top 6 forward. Got to replace Kane & Tarasenko. Tarasenko done like Brett Hull in 2005. He can retire at anytime.