LeftWinger

no matter what he said or how you interpreted it, he has a history you can look back on, 8 years worth. And in those 8 years, he was nothing like Holland. That is what I am going by. Yzerman has made his own career and has his own style. Do I expect sweeping changes this summer? Probably not, but, contrary to what may have been said, I can guarantee he has been watching this team the entire season, as a "fan" and knows the direction he is going. "Let's Get To Work" doesn't mean remain status quo. It means he knows what he wants to do. Holland would never say anything like that, he wold be more interested in "having conversations" with his UFA's and "if they want to come back" he would more than likely give them a contract, because, you know, veterans and stuff. Yzerman is gong to just as aggressive as when he ran the lighting. Sure, we don't have Stamkos or Hedman already, but if he trims fat (Daley, Ericsson, Helm, et al) and somehow convinces the likes of Karlsson and Panarin to come here, add to that the core we have already, we'd be on an express elevator to the playoffs in his first season. We would just need to find a real starting goaltender. (I can't say enough how glad I am that Holland signed Bernier instead of Lehner when he had the choice. It all had to do with his loyalty to Howard, because Lehner wanted a starting job and Holland probably said we already have a starter...well, thanks Kenny. Lehner at $1.5M, Bernier at $3.0M, oh well, thank God that GM is no longer in charge of that!) I'm not going to judge Yzerman of course, but I hope he does keep up the aggressiveness! Buyout/Trade/Waive BOTH Ericsson and Daley. Trade Helm (Babs might be looking for change in Toronto now!) take a serious run at Karlsson and Panarin. I watched the SJ game last night, Karlsson is tons better than anything we got, IMO pay the man and bring him here! Panarin is a pure sniper, we need something like that! At the draft, take the gamble on Caufield. Again, not judging Yzerman, these are just the type of aggressiveness I'd like to see. But hey, at least it's not Holland!

We also know that when he is on a hot streak, he is Vezina worthy. I don't think he'll shut them out, but he won't stink the bed either. As long as they give him goal support, he'll pull off the upset. 3 goals past him max.

Yuck. But I guess I'll take a Shark advance for that Toronto loss!

1. Hughes 2. Kakko 3. Podkolzin 4. Cozens 5. Byrum ...if this is the way it goes, then I hope for: 6. Caufield

I think you left out Canada.

Gonna be a heck of a payday for both him and Bobvrosky, if he tests the market. I bet each of them are going to wait and wait until the other one signs first! Waiting...............................................................................waiting..................................................................

How much will the Isles fans revel if/when Toronto gets eliminated and they have swept the Pens?

He will be fundamentally different though. Look at the players Yzerman traded for, drafted, or signed. He likes high skill players that can be taught defensive parts of the game. He doesn't acquire players that are pure grinders, defensive, because you cannot teach skill. Let us also remember than he was one of the biggest pursuers of Karlsson when he was on the trading block. It may not work financially, unless he can move Abby or Helm and Ericsson or Daley, but I can see him trying to make a run at both Karlsson and Panarin. Regarding the draft, if Byrum and Cozens go 4 and 5, I really see him taking someone like Cole Caufield. The kid's stock is rising, he might even go top 5 (which will probably drop one of the other two to us.) But, Yzerman loves that type of player. Not build an entire team of them, but Caufield is about as close to Tyler Johnson as he can get. I wouldn't be surprised.

Yzerman knows very well the prospects, he said that the reason he knows about them is that they scouted all the same players. Plus, Holland knowing about kids we have has nothing to do with this draft. Plus, you don't think Yzerman has been evaluating this team from Day 1 of the season? If anyone thinks this plan was not in the works from last fall, then you're blind. Like I said, opinions and advice are fine a d Yzerman will listen to all, but Holland will have zero choice in the matter when it comes to drafting. They are not co-GM's, Yzerman is in charge. Yzerman is very capable of building a winning team without his hand being held.

Could be. We all know how drafts tend to play out. I feel that if Cozens and Byram ate both gone, Turcotte will be the pick. You can always put a C on wing, but it's quite hard for a wing to go to C. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Steve took Cole Caulfield at 6, his stock is rising steadily. Probably still a bit high for him, but ya never know. That top 6 on team USA is lights out man!

He got a 1st rounder for KFQ.

I feel very contrary to this. This is not Yzerman's first ever draft, he does not need his hand held. Will he take in to consideration opinions from all? Sure, but ultimately, this is not Holland place anymore. Yzerman will meet mostly with scouts and make his own decision on the players he selects. He is the GM, this is his team to build. He is not Co-GM with Holland, this is not some sort of Marvel Team-Up where they choose together. This is Steve's team now, again, advice and opinions aside, Steve makes the decision's, none of it has to do with Holland anymore. I fully expect the type of player(s) selected will reflect on Steve's vision for the future of the makeup of this team, which could be polar opposite of Holland's. Which I welcome with open arms. If we wanted more Holland, we would've kept Holland, or promoted from within. I am SO glad that we more than likely won't see anymore 2nd round experimental picks! (ie. Berggren, when Holland should've drafted another D, like Woo or Wilde with that extra 2nd round pick. This is Yzerman's team and this will be Yzerman's draft. Holland can just stay home.

#6? I'm thinking that's a bit high for him.

At one point in the presser Steve answered a question saying "we'll see in 5 years" or "I'll let you know in 5 year's." Something to that effect. I'm not sure if he was letting leak out his personal goal for having success or if he was referring to that because his contract is for 5 years. But that's the only time I heard anything about years.

Top 5 trending on Twitter in USA Steve Yzerman RedWings LGRW Stevie Y Ken Holland

With the Wings loyalty, this may be the last GM the Wings have in my lifetime. I'm smiling from ear to ear. I just can't stop. I hope NHL Network shows this today.

Now we just need to get Nick and Igor involved somehow! Ok, ok, asking too much!

Ultimately I'm sure it is, but if Yzerman highly recommends it, I'm sure his opinion would hold a ton of water! I hope it happens, it needs to.

So, what is his first move? Just like a few have us have mentioned, he's probably been evaluating the team throughout the season, so he may have some ideas already. Also, he must be a fan of Blashill or I'm sure he would've not have been extended. Stevie probably was involved in that decision.

They'll compensate Tampa with a 3rd round pick. I am so excited about this. We all have been expecting this, but it doesn't make it less exciting. The prodigal son has returned! My excitement for this team has just multiplied by 10000%, litterally, my hands are shaking. I haven't had much to be excited about, especially with the 1 year coming up, but this makes me happy. ...on a side note, how long until he puts #91 in the rafters? Also, the season ticket phone lines have crashed by now I expect!

As much as I am for wheelin and dealin, I can agree with these as well. Although I'd give Kronner a 1 yr and buyout Ericsson and Daley, but that's neither here nor there because more than likely either of them will be rotating in and out of the 6th spot. I think Cholowski and Rasmussen both need a full year in GR, but if they have "grown" more by next season, lets give them spots. I'm all for kids playing. With the recent success of The Isles, I'd entertain the idea of asking Nielsen if he'd waive to try and win a Cup next season with them. Valuable spot. But his contract just may keep him here for the life of it. Trouba is an RFA this summer and a UFA after the length of his next contract is over. Seeing his history with The Peg, it'll probably be just 1 year, because I highly doubt they'll give him anything north of $8M, which is probably the range he will be looking for. I say no to offer sheets, they will probably match anything under $6M and I'd hate to give up the compensation for anything above it.

I kind of like the 1 year huge salary idea, BUT I'd rather throw the $14M at Matt Duchene than Eberle or maybe Panarin.

then we'll trade them E.

Be careful guys...

Here we go! First of all, you never trade AA. Period. Cap rises to $83M (shy of $85M rumor) Isles lose in 7 games to Nashville in SCF, they call Detroit at the draft asking them the price of acquiring Nielsen for veteran leadership. Nielsen waives his NTC and Isles send 2019 1st (#30) to Detroit in exchange for Nielsen, 2019 2nd (#35.) Detroit trades E. Svechnikov, Givani Smith, 2019 2nd round (Isles #60) to Carolina for Justin Faulk. Detroit drafts Bowen Byram at #6, Cole Caufield (fingers crossed) at #30. See below for my entire draft! Detroit uses ZERO buyouts Detroit signs Erik Karlsson (5 yrs $12M) and Gus Nyquist (5 yrs $5.5M) on July 1. Re-Signs Kronwall (1yr 4$M) Witkowski (2yrs $750K) Mike Green start season on LTIR along with Z and Fanzen. Cholowski, Rasmussen, Kuffner, Frk (re-signed) start in GR. Sign Veleno, Byram and Caufield to ELC's. Re-sign McIlrath, Chelios, Rybar, Sulak, Hicketts, Wade (all GR.) Vanek, Sateri are both allowed to pursue other opportunities. Rybar and Larsson are your GR goalies. Believe it or not, still have $5.5M in cap space. Opening Day Looks like: Bertuzzi - Larkin - Mantha Hirose - AA - Zadina Helm - DLR - Nyquist Abby - Ehn - Glenny (Witko) DD - Karlsson Daley - Faulk Kronwall - Hronek (Ericsson - Bowey) Howard Bernier ....Do I think Holland will be this bold? No. But this would be nice! Yep, I'm crazy, but as long as we are poking and hoping. (yes, I dropped the idea of Skinner in exchange for a cheaper Nyquist, who will no doubt bring Karlsson with him! ) 2019 Draft: (after my deals above) 1st round: B. Byram, C. Caufield (if not there then Nolan Foote) 2nd round: (with SJS pick that remains after trades) Ethan Keppen 3rd round: Ryan Johnson 4th round: Nando Eggenberger 5th round: Michal Mrazik, Mason Primeau 6th round: Juuso Parsinen 7th round: Adam Edstrom