Duff: It’s Time For Red Wings to Make Bold Statement

There’s a sense that this summer is going to be different for the Detroit Red Wings. At this juncture, it’s wise to be reminding everyone that sense isn’t currently founded in anything greater than NHL rumors.

The next two weeks are going to be massive in shaping the future of NHL franchises, what with the NHL entry draft and launch of the free agency period looming. Since becoming GM of the Red Wing in 2019, Steve Yzerman has been choosing to use this time of the year to tweak his club.

He’s been making trades at and around the draft, but nothing of the blockbuster variety. As well, when it’s coming time to sign free agents, the A-listers always wind up going elsewhere.

This summer, though, there’s a building sense among hockey insiders that this will be the time when Yzerman swings for the fences. He’ll be looking to go all-in as he bids to upgrade his club.

Yzerman Not One To Share His Plans

Yzerman, as is his nature, is playing his cards close to his vest. Either via trade or UFA signings, the rumor mill is connecting the Red Wings to some major NHL names. They include top talent like defensemen like K’Andre Miller, Bowen Byram, Noah Dobson and Aaron Ekblad. Forwards such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand are also mentioned.

However, if we’ve learned anything about him during Yzerman’s tenure, it’s that what’s being rumored as about to happen and what actually ends up happening are generally found at opposite ends of the spectrum.

At a certain point, should on the cusp prospects just be allowed to sink or swim in the NHL?

In their Draft +2 years (SHL):

William Wallinder had 19 points in 47 games.
Mo Seider had 28 points in 41 games.

Points aren't everything, but….#LGRW pic.twitter.com/i85kmnnGTz

— Ian Denning (@Cest_Ian) April 10, 2025

Through his usual vague and generic answering of questions, Yzerman does allow that he’d love to make a big splash this summer.

“We kind of felt that from all along, we’re going to look at any good player, any player that can help us in any role,” Yzerman said. “If there’s a player worthy of spending whatever amount on that has an interest in playing in Detroit and fits a need for us, absolutely, we would try to do that.

“We’re in a different stage than we were maybe five years ago in that we have a good, young nucleus of players and if we can add to that with a prominent free agent, we’d certainly entertain them.”

The same sentiment is holding forth regarding the trade market.

“Certainly open to trade for sure,” Yzerman said. “Again, I think we’ve moved more younger players into that core. It’s not complete yet. Is it perfect yet? No, but as I stated earlier, we are prepared to look at doing something through trade for sure to try and make us better.”

Red Wings Yzerman Needs To Be Bold

Nine seasons have come and gone since the Red Wings last played playoff hockey. While there’s no outward sense from the team hierarchy that Yzerman’s job could be in jeopardy, the fact of the matter is should the playoff drought be extended to a decade on his watch, that seat he’s occupying figures to be getting uncomfortably hot.

It would behoove him to change his approach to team building this summer.

For the most part, he’s been playing it safe on draft day. Detroit’s first round picks tend to be secure, 2oo-foot players. That’s fine. You need players like that to win.

At the same time, acquiring a wild card also helps to achieve success. That could be a player who might show some defensive shortcomings, while also proving to be a consistent goal scorer and point producer.

Moritz Seider: from shocker 6th overall pick to Calder Trophy winner. What a ride it's been for Mo…and it's just getting started. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/51EP5fjKrc

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) June 21, 2022

Certainly, Yzerman rolled the dice when he was grabbing defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft. This selection was even shocking to Seider.

No one can possibly suggest that gamble hasn’t paid dividends.

Perhaps it’s also time he was taking a risk in the trade market. Yzerman has a stockpile of young prospects. He could move a player like Jonatan Berggren, or perhaps even Nate Danielson. Yzerman might even package one of his goalie prospects. They must do something to get that big, heavy, goal-scoring forward they so need for the club’s top six.

“But when you say like make substantial upgrades, like it’s easier said than done,” Yzerman acknowledges. “Yeah, we were going to continue to try to get better.

“It’s just imperative that we continue to strive to get better and figure out ways to improve our team and bring better players that make us a better team.”