How the (modern) Wings were Built

[kipwinger 8,756]

ESPN ran an article today discussing how the Wings have become a "contender" again. While I think the "contender" part is a little much, I do think it's a fun thing to discuss. For the sake of fun, let's not say "We got Debrincat and Kane" or things like that. Let's keep it broader in scope. I'll start. The Wings are good again because:

1. Yzerman has a clear preference for drafting out of European men's leagues.

2. Yzerman recognizes that all things being equal it's better to have more competitive guys with less skill than more skilled guys who don't compete hard.

 

ESPN Article: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39105878/nhl-red-wings-playoffs-standings-contender-rebuild-yzerman

Edited December 14, 2023 by kipwinger

[The 91 of Ryans 3,019]

beyond the obvious: 

Yzerman took the assignment of adding a ton of right shots very seriously. 

[kipwinger 8,756]

7 minutes ago, The 91 of Ryans said:

beyond the obvious: 

Yzerman took the assignment of adding a ton of right shots very seriously. 

It's unreal that we played the whole end of the Holland Era with Glendening as our only right shot most of the time.

[Troy McClure 347]

I think the biggest thing with Yzerman is he is 1. proactive, and 2. thinks outside the box

1. If Holland was still in charge we probably would never have acquired Nedjelkovic or Husso, but if he had done something like get Ned, Ned would still be in net in 2023/24. I just use this as one example of how Yzerman is much more willing to actively and urgently address problems, whereas tire kicker would have wait and seen.

2. Signing players like Holl, Walman, Fischer, Maata, was on absolutely no ones radar but it's generally worked out very well. He even got mad shade for signing Holl, but he didn't give a flying F about the NHL zeitgeist.

And lastly, he's done the two most important things you can do to win in the modern parity NHL: dont sign bad contracts, and draft good.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Troy McClure

[Scott R Lucidi 675]

10 hours ago, Troy McClure said:

I think the biggest thing with Yzerman is he is 1. proactive, and 2. thinks outside the box

1. If Holland was still in charge we probably would never have acquired Nedjelkovic or Husso, but if he had done something like get Ned, Ned would still be in net in 2023/24. I just use this as one example of how Yzerman is much more willing to actively and urgently address problems, whereas tire kicker would have wait and seen.

2. Signing players like Holl, Walman, Fischer, Maata, was on absolutely no ones radar but it's generally worked out very well. He even got mad shade for signing Holl, but he didn't give a flying F about the NHL zeitgeist.

And lastly, he's done the two most important things you can do to win in the modern parity NHL: dont sign bad contracts, and draft good.

Vrana was his only shet stain, but that wasnt Steve's fault.

[kipwinger 8,756]

You can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I still maintain the Vrana trade was a good trade that we won. We gave up an overpaid, underperforming, winger at the apex of his value and got another total waste of space back...plus a first and second round pick. We traded Hronek for a first and second and it was pretty universally agreed that was a great trade. So even if you take Vrana out of the trade it was a win for SY.

No GM makes zero mistakes. So being perfect can't be the standard. I think you have to ensure that you don't make big mistakes that have long term effects...like whiffing on first round draft picks or not managing your cap space and losing a player (or something like that). By that standard SY has done incredibly well. It's not that he doesn't take risks (like Holland), it's that he never gambles more than he can stomach losing.

Edited December 15, 2023 by kipwinger

[stephen-gregory-yzerman 136]

11 hours ago, Troy McClure said:

1. If Holland was still in charge we probably would never have acquired Nedjelkovic or Husso, but if he had done something like get Ned, Ned would still be in net in 2023/24. I just use this as one example of how Yzerman is much more willing to actively and urgently address problems, whereas tire kicker would have wait and seen.

Prob wouldve been better then signing Reimer. Ned is currently sporting a 2.29gaa and 0.935s%. If Yzerman were actively and urgently addressing problems hed fire Husso into the sun and force Lalonde to play his best goaler Lyon.

[kipwinger 8,756]

5 minutes ago, stephen-gregory-yzerman said:

Prob wouldve been better then signing Reimer. Ned is currently sporting a 2.29gaa and 0.935s%. If Yzerman were actively and urgently addressing problems hed fire Husso into the sun and force Lalonde to play his best goaler Lyon.

Husso was exceptional last night. I agree he's been crap for a while now, but he earned another start last night. Right now I'd be looking to trade Reimer, pencil in Lyon as my full time backup, and continue to evaluate Husso. If Husso keeps looking like he did last night, then crisis averted. If he falls apart again, trade him and whatever else is needed for John Gibson.

[Troy McClure 347]

3 hours ago, stephen-gregory-yzerman said:

Prob wouldve been better then signing Reimer. Ned is currently sporting a 2.29gaa and 0.935s%. If Yzerman were actively and urgently addressing problems hed fire Husso into the sun and force Lalonde to play his best goaler Lyon.

I guess youd prefer to have Holland back?

[stephen-gregory-yzerman 136]

1 hour ago, Troy McClure said:

I guess youd prefer to have Holland back?

No. Yzerman is a far better gm. If were talking what Id prefer itd be that Holland walked away back in 09 for Yzerman to take over 10 years earlier.