Steve Yzerman frustrates fans with latest statement
What exactly is the goal, then?
HockeyFeed
Well, fans of the Detroit Red Wings aren't likely to take too kindly to this latest statement from GM Steve Yzerman, who already drew the ire of plenty of folks during the Draft when he said the team was still in the "gathering assets" phase despite his entering Year five as the head honcho following the departure of the maligned Ken Holland in 2019.
“We would love to make the playoffs (this season),” Yzerman said during an event in Grand Rapids in which he was the guest keynote speaker. “But is it playoffs-or-bust? Internally, no.”
“Our goal isn’t just to make the playoffs,” he continued. "Our goal is to build a championship team, a team that can compete for a championship.”
It's good that the team is envisioning long-term success. But at a certain point, we need to start seeing results. In a League where half of the teams make the postseason, it's no longer acceptable for the Red Wings to find themselves on the outside looking in - especially after an offseason of multiple additions that include a bonafide scoring threat in Alex DeBrincat.
“We’ve been through the process” Yzerman said. “Our fanbase, the sports fans in Detroit, have seen it all. It’s understandable that they would want to see some success at some point. They want to see their teams win.
“I don’t feel any extra pressure. I was hired to do a job and I understand the job and the scrutiny that comes with it. But it doesn’t change what you have to do or what needs to be done.”
Yzerman's legendary status in Detroit has earned him extra rope in the eyes of many to rebuild the team for as long as it takes. And yes, it's true that the Red Wings have been absolutely screwed by the NHL Draft Lottery and missing out on chances to draft generational talents.
But at the same time, there's nothing wrong with questioning why this process, which plenty of fans envisioned would be in full drive mode, seems to be stuck in neutral.
Should Detroit's goal be playoffs or bust this season, especially given that Yzerman has now been in charge of the team for half of a decade?
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