Detroit’s big summer
Steve Yzerman has his most important summer yet as GM in Detroit. Nine straight years without a post season is taking its toll on fans. The Yzerplan may be running out of time.
The Atlantic Division has another Stanley Cup in Florida. The battle for a wild card spot is going to be fierce. Right now, Detroit doesn’t have the tools to get it done.
Red Wings Miss on Marchment
The Dallas Stars needed cap space. It was widely known that 6’5” right wing Mason Marchment was available. The price ended up being just a third and a fourth round pick. How was Detroit not in on this deal?
The Red Wings need strength and scoring. Marchment provides both of those. Detroit has two third round picks this year. The team was more than able to meet the demand. There was one problem, and it’s a bigger one. The Red Wings were apparently on Marchment’s 10-team no trade list. The Red Wings need to return to being a destination club for teams.
It remains to be seen where the office is focusing its energies. With Jesse Kiiskinen recently signing an entry level contract, there may be internal upgrades available. Still, big moves need to be made.
Upgrades still available for the Red Wings
Detroit’s needs are easily identifiable. A top six forward and a top four defenseman. With Sam Bennett potentially off the market, Nikolaij Ehlers may be commanding an incredibly high salary.
Reports are surfacing that Noah Dobson may now be available. That level of improvement on the blue line will require a massive offer. Still, Detroit should apply due diligence into that possibility.
There is a daily influx of names into the rumor mill. It’s impossible for Steve Yzerman to look into every possibility. Still, the deal that saw Marchment leave Dallas felt like a missed opportunity. There is too much at stake for Detroit this season to miss out on affordable upgrades.
Atlantic won’t get easier for the Red Wings
The Florida Panthers are celebrating a Stanley Cup win. That is not sitting well in Tampa Bay or Toronto. The Maple Leafs are watching as the core four is finally splitting up. The Lighting are reeling from another early exit after their own back to back cup wins.
Detroit has to battle for the divisional scraps right now. Boston will be rebuilding. Montreal and Ottawa have shown large improvements. The Red Wings failure in the open market has been an unnecessary hurdle.
The time may have come to make a deal so big that it will rattle the organization. Could the rift with Dylan Larkin lead to a big trade? Is it time to part with multiple first round picks? Whatever the remedy, all eyes are on Steve Yzerman. A 10th year missing the playoffs could mean another organizational reset.
