Yzerman is ‘somewhat pleased’ with how Wings’ ’23-24 season turned out
Steve Yzerman sounded encouraged as he reflected on the Detroit Red Wings’ season, three days after it came to a thrilling, albeit ultimately disappointing, end.
“It was an exciting season, I think for us all, a bit of a roller coaster,” Yzerman said during a news conference Friday at Little Caesars Arena, five years to the day he was named general manager. “A lot of highs and some periods of a lot of losses and lows. Overall, it was progress.
“After five years, more so than just the Red Wings, but the organization in general, I’m somewhat pleased. I can’t say it’s perfect, but I’m somewhat pleased with the development of our organization. Some of the younger players, not only in Detroit, but in Grand Rapids, are excelling very well. So overall I’m encouraged with the progress of the organization and the development of some of our younger players.
“I’m kind of disappointed, as most people are, at the end of the season here because particularly the last week was incredibly exciting.”
Here are highlights of what Yzerman said:
Where he wants to see improvement
Yzerman brought up team defense as a key area that needs to improve.
“Goals-against is a challenge around the league, it’s a difficult league to defend in right now. It’s become a more offensive league and that’s entertaining and exciting, but the best teams in the league are near the top in goals-against and defensive play. Collectively as a team we have to get better, that’s the No. 1 thing.”
On who he wants back
Forwards Patrick Kane, David Perron, Daniel Sprong, Christian Fischer; defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and goaltender James Reimer are all pending unrestricted free agents. To varying degrees, Yzerman indicated he has interesting in bring several of them back, specifically Kane, Perron and Gostisbehere.
On Lucas Raymond’s performance down the stretch
Raymond had a hat trick in Pittsburgh, and scored a tying goal and the winner in overtime at home against the Montreal Canadiens.
“He certainly showed so more down the stretch his game-changing ability, scoring big goals, key goals. We watched him do that in juniors prior to being drafted. All the key goals he scored, that’s not an aberration. I think he’s going to keep doing that.”
On goaltending
Ville Husso started the season as the No. 1 goaltender, James Reimer as No. 2, and Alex Lyon a distant third. Then Husso got hurt, and Lyon emerged as the starter. Husso and Lyon are signed through next season, but expect the Wings to carry three, again.
“Everyone is looking for a goaltender, whether it’s a one or a two or a three. All three of those guys at different points in the season had a very positive impact on us and played games that helped us win and put us in a position to almost make the playoffs. Having said that, they need to be better and we need to be better in all aspects of keeping the puck out of our net. Our play collectively has to be better.”
On Prospects Tournament
The NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, which for years preceded main training camp, used to feature as many as eight teams. Now it’s down to two. Yzerman said that only the Wings and Dallas Stars would be participating in the event at Centre I.C.E. Arena.