Jeremy Laura: Yzerman gives thoughts on Brome and free agency

I would expect more of the same next year for the wings.

Realistically they will probably get better goaltending than what Howard gave them last year, but as it stands that would’ve maybe put them in contention for 2nd worst.

They will likely be returning with a similar roster and by the sounds of it the same awful coach. I don’t think the additions of brome or any other fabbri like trade make enough impact of the roster to really say its dramatically better and as we’ve noted it’s unlikely the wings will be shopping for anything more than depth in free agency.

The only way I see the current wings roster improving is if zadina comes in and exceeds expectations I think 3rd worst or higher would be considered a success.

If the wings get lafreniere and he’s everything he’s touted to be or their top pick this year comes in and exceeds expectations the wings should consider anywhere in the 5th to 10th worst area a success.

Long story short I think there is too much work to do that would result in a decent to massive improvement next year.

I would expect more of the same next year for the wings.

Realistically they will probably get better goaltending than what Howard gave them last year, but as it stands that would’ve maybe put them in contention for 2nd worst.

They will likely be returning with a similar roster and by the sounds of it the same awful coach. I don’t think the additions of brome or any other fabbri like trade make enough impact of the roster to really say its dramatically better and as we’ve noted it’s unlikely the wings will be shopping for anything more than depth in free agency.

The only way I see the current wings roster improving is if zadina comes in and exceeds expectations I think 3rd worst or higher would be considered a success.

If the wings get lafreniere and he’s everything he’s touted to be or their top pick this year comes in and exceeds expectations the wings should consider anywhere in the 5th to 10th worst area a success.

Long story short I think there is too much work to do that would result in a decent to massive improvement next year.
- RedC21

Also a thought crossed my mind that I’ll add to this comment.

While I’m a big believer in building in the blue line out and also in drysdale being an elite D, should the wings even fall to 4th they should select a forward.

Early reports for next year’s draft suggest the top end will be loaded with D. Given where the wings are expected to finish that should be something for them to take into consideration with who they select this year

I would expect more of the same next year for the wings.

Realistically they will probably get better goaltending than what Howard gave them last year, but as it stands that would’ve maybe put them in contention for 2nd worst.

They will likely be returning with a similar roster and by the sounds of it the same awful coach. I don’t think the additions of brome or any other fabbri like trade make enough impact of the roster to really say its dramatically better and as we’ve noted it’s unlikely the wings will be shopping for anything more than depth in free agency.

The only way I see the current wings roster improving is if zadina comes in and exceeds expectations I think 3rd worst or higher would be considered a success.

If the wings get lafreniere and he’s everything he’s touted to be or their top pick this year comes in and exceeds expectations the wings should consider anywhere in the 5th to 10th worst area a success.

Long story short I think there is too much work to do that would result in a decent to massive improvement next year.
- RedC21

I think part of the advantage for next year is expiring contracts. Big E, Howard, Daley and Green are all gone. Daley just has so many hard miles. E too many injuries and Howie just really struggling. Green gone as well. Those spots can be filled with better potential at least.

Also a thought crossed my mind that I’ll add to this comment.

While I’m a big believer in building in the blue line out and also in drysdale being an elite D, should the wings even fall to 4th they should select a forward.

Early reports for next year’s draft suggest the top end will be loaded with D. Given where the wings are expected to finish that should be something for them to take into consideration with who they select this year
- RedC21

It’s a fair point, to be sure. Stevie probably has his contingency list pretty well set. It will be interesting to see if he goes off the board again.

Yzerman’s track record speaks for it’s self. Detroit fans should be excited when the Draft comes around.

His past picks below the 1st round

Palat 7th round
Point 3rd round
Cirelli 3rd round
Kucherov 2nd round

Yzerman’s track record speaks for it’s self. Detroit fans should be excited when the Draft comes around.

His past picks below the 1st round

Palat 7th round
Point 3rd round
Cirelli 3rd round
Kucherov 2nd round
- Tee56

Yzerman and Verbeek's track record. Verbeek will be an NHL GM someday. I hope Yzerman can keep him in Detroit as long as possible. Beeker has a real eye for scouting young talent.

Yeah assuming they play 82 games next season (big, big if) I think my best guess is that they’d finish somewhere in the high 60s / low 70s in terms of total points, which in most seasons would give you a real shot at last place and almost always puts you in the bottom two or three.

No more Howard would be the biggest reason for a rebound.

With Bernier they were the worst team in the NHL, but fairly ordinary (or if anything, above average) for a typical last-place NHL team. They earned 33 out of a possible 80 points in his decisions (.413), a 68-point pace over 82 games.

With Howard they were the worst team in NHL history. They earned only 6 out of a possible 54 points (!!!!!!) in his decisions (.111), an 18-point pace. For comparison, the worst team in NHL history (1975 Capitals) managed a points percentage of .131 (22-point pace), and they “earned” it in the era before loser points started inflated points percentages, too.

If the goaltending is even base level competent over the full season their record should improve a lot. They’ll still be bad, maybe even still be the worst team in the NHL, but much less painfully so.

And if we get some general improvement from the under-23 crowd, cut back on the minutes for Abdelkader and Nielsen (ideally to zero ...), make a couple of very modest stopgap signings, stay healthy ...

Again, not like this team is going to be genuinely good anytime soon, but after last season "bad but at least watchable" sounds amazing.

Yzerman and Verbeek's track record. Verbeek will be an NHL GM someday. I hope Yzerman can keep him in Detroit as long as possible. Beeker has a real eye for scouting young talent.
- gergeswillems

Interesting point, thanks for that! Calling him Beeker makes me think of Yzerman as Bunsen Honeydew!

Yeah assuming they play 82 games next season (big, big if) I think my best guess is that they’d finish somewhere in the high 60s / low 70s in terms of total points, which in most seasons would give you a real shot at last place and almost always puts you in the bottom two or three.

No more Howard would be the biggest reason for a rebound.

With Bernier they were the worst team in the NHL, but fairly ordinary (or if anything, above average) for a typical last-place NHL team. They earned 33 out of a possible 80 points in his decisions (.413), a 68-point pace over 82 games.

With Howard they were the worst team in NHL history. They earned only 6 out of a possible 54 points (!!!!!!) in his decisions (.111), an 18-point pace. For comparison, the worst team in NHL history (1975 Capitals) managed a points percentage of .131 (22-point pace), and they “earned” it in the era before loser points started inflated points percentages, too.

If the goaltending is even base level competent over the full season their record should improve a lot. They’ll still be bad, maybe even still be the worst team in the NHL, but much less painfully so.

And if we get some general improvement from the under-23 crowd, cut back on the minutes for Abdelkader and Nielsen (ideally to zero ...), make a couple of very modest stopgap signings, stay healthy ...

Again, not like this team is going to be genuinely good anytime soon, but after last season "bad but at least watchable" sounds amazing.
- Sven22

Jimmy had a lousy go of it. If the D could get smarter about getting pucks out on rebounds and limiting chances to some degree, that would help too. As you said, not making the team climb the ranks but a clear improvement. 4GAA is just insanely bad

Jimmy had a lousy go of it. If the D could get smarter about getting pucks out on rebounds and limiting chances to some degree, that would help too. As you said, not making the team climb the ranks but a clear improvement. 4GAA is just insanely bad
- Jeremy Laura

There's no way the Wings can be as bad as they were this season. Howard and Pylon Ericsson being gone improves them by at least 15 points. They'll still be bad. But I think we've seen the worst from this Red Wings team.

There's no way the Wings can be as bad as they were this season. Howard and Pylon Ericsson being gone improves them by at least 15 points. They'll still be bad. But I think we've seen the worst from this Red Wings team.
- gergeswillems

I tend to agree. The games were brutal