Embed from Getty Images Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said last week he is encouraged by the young group of players in the organizations pipeline. He also said “We need more.” Yzerman then announced there are open roster spots available. Making this a very interesting training camp for the rebuilding Red Wings.
Joe Veleno, Filip Zadina and Moritz Seider are all trying to make the jump to the NHL. In just four games the Red Wings won the Prospects Tournament while fielding the youngest team.
Yzerman, was ho-hum about the tournament championship. “You like to win more than lose,” he stated. “More importantly, the kids competed real hard.” the Detroit Red Wings average age in the Prospects Tournament was 18 years old. They played against teams who averaged 24 years old.
The Detroit Red Wings are not picked to make the NHL Playoffs again this season. That is okay. This season is about beginning to turn the roster over to younger more skilled players.
Steve Yzerman, is overseeing the remainder of the Red Wings rebuild. He will make his roster based on two key areas.
- Is a prospects ready for the NHL grind. If Yzerman said prospects can take an open roster spot, he may have a few in mind. But, he also said he will not just give a player a spot on the team. It will be earned.
- Is a prospect better than the player he will be pushing out of a job or perhaps a reduced role on the team? This may be the key question in the general manager’s thinking.
This preseason is critical to the future of the Red Wings. Even though Detroit could be a bottom five team. They have some key pieces in place. Players who took a big step in development last season. Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi just to name a few.
Now Detroit will add talent to those talented players. The 2019-20 NHL season will hardly be a lost one in Detroit. It will be a very important next step in bringing consistent hockey back to Hockeytown.
