I took a look at Detroit’s potential draft picks In the last article. I am going to post a follow up with some “honorable mentions” that you have talked about in the comments section. A lot of potential in the top 4 picks. And, after last year, unless Yzerman picks first overall there is no way to be certain where his mind is at. The former captain does incredibly well at keeping things close to the vest.
Wojo spoke to Yzerman Regarding the state of the team. There was another “behind the curtain” look at how the beat writers felt about the past season. Wojo states:
Listen. Will Yzerman get the job done here? Yes, his record, resolve and resources say he will.
Should it be this numbingly painful for another year? No it should not.
Numblingly painful feels about right. One of my closest friends was an avid Lion’s fan for the 20 years I knew him. The cycle during a game went from hopeful to angry shouting to that 100 yard stare in an almost catatonic state. Sometimes this would all have been accomplished before half time. I never should have teased him about it, I didn’t realize how bad it really felt to hit rock bottom.
Perhaps the most insightful comment as to the future of the team came here:
I asked Yzerman if this season made him realize he’ll have to get more aggressive in shaping his roster, whether through trades or free-agency.
“I’d say maybe, slightly,” he said. “Ultimately the plan is to hopefully draft well, hopefully run a good development program. We want to have as competitive a team as we can at this time, to help the Dylan Larkins, Anthony Manthas, Tyler Bertuzzis, the young core get better. But I don’t want to go into free-agency to make a splash. We’re gonna look to make sensible signings.”
Sensible signings. That would be a good title for a book documenting this process. Sensible trades may also work. Yzerman did remark that Bertuzzi and Mantha “aren’t going anywhere”, but that same level of commitment was expressed regarding any other free agent at this point. It’s not that he won’t re sign anyone else, this just felt like a signal to calm the fan base regarding to very important players.
The article mentions Torey Krug and Tyson Barrie as “potential”, but I think that description is stretched at best. Krug loves Boston and those players seem to be willing to take less for the sake of the team. Barrie has stated that he wants to be on a team focused on winning, that isn’t where Detroit is for right now. I get the feeling of when Cody Franson hit the open market. He turned down good offers, sure that he would cash in, but inevitably had to take far less than he was hoping for. That is the type of contract we may well see. Someone who needs a team and takes a discount on a 1 or 2 year deal. Someone who could be flipped at the trade deadline for picks.
Mathias Brome Was the topic du jour for Mlive. As more than a few of us have speculated, Brome likely chose Detroit for the ability to snag a roster spot. Washington was in negotiations, but that would be a much tougher roster to crack. Yzerman never scouted Brome in person, but Hakan and Jiri Fischer both spoke highly of his work ethic and presence. That is the focus on this player right now. Someone who will come in swinging, and who “might” be able to chip in offensively.
At this point, I tend to look at these signings and trades a bit like the goldfish Meijer used to give away on kids day. It’s fun and exciting, but don’t get too attached. The little guy might not make it in a Coy pond. It’s a matter of “flash or flush” for these low risk pickups. A teary eyed young kid even does their best to send them “back to the ocean” before you remind him that the house has a septic tank. For this kind of deal, there are plenty of fish in the sea.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»