Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman has long to-do list this offseason
Posted May 10, 2021
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has a lot of players to sign this offseason. (Ansar Khan/MLive)
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Now that Steve Yzerman’s second season as Detroit Red Wings general manager is over, the bulk of his work begins.
Yzerman has many items to cross off his checklist before players gather for training camp in mid-to-late September, in preparation for an NHL regular season that will start a week later than usual, on Oct. 12.
One task, figures to be completed quickly, as Yzerman indicated last month he will speak with coach Jeff Blashill immediately after the season to discuss his future.
Calvin Pickard got the start in net. Jakub Vrana put the Wings up early, but Cam Atkinson took advantage of being left alone to tie the game in the first period. Danny DeKeyser scored for the second time in two games when he fired a shot that snuck underneath Matiss Kivlenieks’ left arm, but Oliver Bjorkstrand scored less than two minutes later.
With Columbus Max Domi serving a penalty for roughing Gustav Lindstrom, the Blue Jackets converted on a shorthanded goal by Eric Robinson , but the Wings also converted, with Sam Gagner scoring a power play goal to tie the game 3-3 .
Factors for Steve Yzerman to consider in deciding Jeff Blashill’s future
Updated May 06, 2021;
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The offseason begins Sunday for the Detroit Red Wings, and general manager Steve Yzerman’s first order of business is deciding who will be his coach in 2020-21.
Jeff Blashill’s contract is expiring and Yzerman has indicated they will talk quickly after the season to discuss the future.
The Red Wings have missed the playoffs the past five seasons under Blashill, after being eliminated in the first round during his first year as head coach.
That’s not unexpected, given the lengthy rebuild that began following the franchise’s 25-season playoff streak.
How Red Wings’ young players progressed in 2021
Updated May 04, 2021;
Posted May 04, 2021
Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina (11) skates the puck up the ice in the second period of their NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, on Thursday, January 14, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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A rash of injuries and COVID protocol decimated the Detroit Red Wings lineup this season. Many key players have missed a lot of games, forcing the team to continually plug holes.
It created opportunity for young players – first- and second-round draft picks from 2015 to 2018. Some who ordinarily would have been with the Grand Rapids Griffins have played a lot of games with the Red Wings. Others who had been established as NHL players saw their ice time increase and roles (top six, special teams) elevated.
As the Detroit Red Wings wind down the season, one of the points of emphasis has been the opportunity for young players to earn minutes.
The Wings spent much of their Saturday matinee at Little Caesars Arena defending, trying to hold off the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bag Lightning. The Bolts are in need of points as they battle for home-ice in the playoffs. The Wings are done with their season in three more games.
Thomas Greiss made 33 saves through overtime and Jakub Vrana, Filip Zadina, Valtteri FIlppula and Sam Gagner scored in an eight-round shootout to give the Wings a 1-0 victory. The Wings improved to 18-26-9 in 53 games; last year they went 17-49-5 in 71 games, finishing in last place.