What Happens To Steve Yzerman If Detroit Misses The Playoffs?
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman joined Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Morning Skate on Wednesday and was asked about Steve Yzerman’s future as General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Some Players on the Detroit Red Wings Feel Steve Yzerman Is Too Patient
Gord Stelick: ‘So we can build on that maybe next week. What about the Red Wings if they don’t win again, and if that’s the case, I’m not trying to dismiss people, but just, oh, come back to it next year versus, oh, my God, this is a disaster. “
Elliotte Friedman: “You remember that happy episode when Norm Peterson fired everyone. That’s you right now. First of all, I want to say that I’m taking a vacation next week, so I won’t be calling.”
Scott Laughlin: “So don’t call it.”
Stellick: “Okay, okay.”
Friedman: “Two weeks of homework. So one thing. I’ve heard it’s really hard with Yzerman. He’s a great poker player. He doesn’t touch his hand. I’ve no doubt he’s very frustrated. Another night of losing. The only good news is that everyone who was there is lost. Like nobody’s close to Boston East. So, that was just as unimaginable as I didn’t think.
But, they look really intense. I think that’s probably what drove Yzerman as crazy as anything else, that the higher the stakes, the better he played, right? For Detroit, where the stakes are high, it has been very difficult for them.
Steve Yzerman Must Be More Aggressive For Detroit Red Wings To Succeed
One thing I’ve wondered about, and I’ve heard a little bit of a rumor about that fact, even though he’s running a pretty good ship, as you know, maybe, does he give someone else the GM seat and that allows that person to have more focus in the organization?
Yzerman, will be 61 in May. That certainly doesn’t mean he can’t, but I will say this, I’ve always had a lot of respect for him being a grinder. As he works hard, he is not cut down by the axe. And I wonder if he might consider giving someone else a bigger say in the process, instead of doing both jobs himself. “
NHLRumors.com Note: The Detroit Red Wings continue to fight for the playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Another tough March with a 5-7-2 record, and injuries to top players, including Dylan Larkin. This was a big year for Detroit, as going ten years without the playoffs is not a good look for a top six franchise.
There were chinks in arms as Larkin called up Yzerman after he did nothing at last year’s trade deadline. His general manager came back and said they shouldn’t have needed help and it was up to the players to do the job. That’s the type of competitor Yzerman is.
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But sometimes character matters. Yzerman brought in Todd McLellan to direct the team. However, you have to wonder how some young players have been treated. Relying heavily on veterans while the rest of the league is growing.
Yzerman continues to insist his team is coming and building, but if Detroit misses the playoffs again after just missing in 2024 due to tiebreakers, people will wonder when the Red Wings are coming.
The playoffs are necessary, and ownership may need to step up or put Yzerman in another role, as it would be difficult for them to fire him given what he has done for the organization.
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