Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff joined TSN Radio in Montreal and was asked why Detroit’s plan to replace Steve Yzerman as Red Wings General Manager failed.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
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Host: “Well, let’s go in a little bit here with Steve Yzerman, and correct me if I’m wrong. You were upset about the job Yzerman was doing, or not doing, in Detroit. And a couple of years of failure, and it’s hard to walk away from a popular player when you’re the general manager and the president could be fired. We’re going to keep him in the organization but Yzerman wasn’t there as he’s done his job.
Anthony Di Marco: “Yes, I think my first article I wrote criticizing Yzerplan was back in December of 2024, then I criticized them following the deadline of 2025. Then I started to be more optimistic following the last season, but then you saw them fall completely and they did something close to the trade deadline, without the puck-moving power to trade Justin. A little undesirable given the fact that you already had Mo Seider not only in the back but as a good shooter in that back end, and I think you see what they did in free agency and in terms of intelligence they didn’t do much.
He pays Victor Arvidsson for two years for $5 million. He trades what was, what was, the 14th pick for Sebastian Cosaa for the 23rd pick this year to the Utah Mammoth. Right there, it was the speed of moving forward for Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings, and I think, amateur scouting-wise, led by AGM Kris Draper, he did a really good job, and he always chose outside the top three.
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Lucas Raymond, good choice. Simon Edvinsson, good choice. Moritz Seider, good choice. The goaltenders, Cossa and Trey Augustine, have picked well, and have improved with their AHL team managed by Shawn Horcoff doing very well.
But then you look at pro scouting: the guys they bring in to support these little pieces, with Andrew Copp and Ben Chiarot, Justin Holl, JT Compher. Maybe Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat were good additions, but you know they didn’t move the needle much.
He’s had some rotations between the pipes, finally cementing that with John Gibson last year, but before that, the likes of Cam Talbot and Ville Husso and more. And I think eight years ago, it’s not good enough. Even though I think it’s been seven years, it hasn’t been good enough for the Detroit Red Wings. And in the end, I think Yzerman’s stubbornness got him here.
The timing of Steve Yzerman’s announcement in Detroit is strange
But to your point, Sean, it’s hard to fire a guy like Steve Yzerman. Maybe it was hard for the Canadiens to fire Bob Gainey all those years ago. But I think this was a quiet, polite, respectful way, you know, you’re not a hockey guy anymore. He is a mentor, but to the owner, not the team.”
NHLRumors.com Note: As the Red Wings continue to search for their general manager, Steve Yzerman’s time in Detroit will be considered a failure because the team never made the playoffs. Detroit took steps back following a season tied for points with the Washington Capitals in 2024, but missed the playoffs due to a breakout game. But instead of progressing, the Red Wings took steps backwards.
Thankfully, ownership didn’t come to Yzerman earlier to suggest he step down or step down after the season and let him and his staff handle the draft and free agency. One of the last issues was his handling of Dylan Larkin’s trade request, saying there was no guarantee he would honor the teams he mentioned in his request.
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But as we’ve said before, when it comes to Yzerman’s career, it’s hard to dismiss a Hall of Fame player who has done so much for the organization. Unfortunately, change was needed in Detroit for the Red Wings to show progress. While the AHL is showing progress, the NHL team is not, and some players feel that the younger ones need to wake up.
Also, how many GMs in the NHL get seven years or more to develop a team and miss the playoffs?
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