NHL.com offers in-depth analysis of each of the 32 teams between August 8 and September 8. Today, the Detroit Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings hope to be more competitive in their fourth season under general manager Steve Yzerman, after hiring a new coach and several new players.
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“We have everything to progress this season”, underlined the center player Andrew Coppafter signing a five-year contract worth $28.125 million (annual salary of $5.625 million) as an unrestricted free agent on July 13.
The Red Wings (32-40-10) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division last season and failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a sixth consecutive season. They were in the NHL’s slums in every major category: goals scored (227; 25th), goals against (310; 31st), power play efficiency (16.3 percent; 26th) and outnumbered performance (73.8 percent; 32nd).
The Red Wings, however, will have a very different face after the offseason additions of coach Derek Lalonde, goaltender Ville Hussodefenders Ben Chiarot, Olli Määttä et Mark Pysykand Copp, Dominic Cuban et David Perron to attack.
“I think we filled some needs,” Yzerman said. I hope we make a better team. I think we are making steady progress in rebuilding the Red Wings. Are we good enough to make the playoffs this season? I do not know. »
“I’m hopeful that we’ll score more goals and concede fewer. I hope our power play will be better, our shorthanded units will be better and we will allow a few fewer goals. That should propel us a little higher in the standings. »
Lalonde, hired July 1 to replace Jeff Blashill, served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past four seasons and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
Yzerman assembled part of the Lightning roster as GM between 2010 and 2018, and as senior adviser in the 2018-19 season. He then returned to Detroit, where he had won the Stanley Cup as a player in 1997, 1998 and 2002, then in 2008 as vice-president of hockey operations.
“Steve was very clear during the interview process that it will take time,” Lalonde said. We build. We are building the team the right way, but it will be a process. »
Yzerman’s experience as a player and manager has already accelerated that process, and there’s excitement about the Red Wings’ future.
“Steve did a good job putting the team together in Tampa,” Copp said. I don’t want to take anything away [au DG du Lightning Julien] BriseBois, but Steve was there for a while and he drafted many of the players that got the team to where it is today. I think the confidence comes from there. »
Copp also spoke about the Red Wings’ young players.
The defender Moritz Seider, drafted sixth overall in 2019, won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year last season. the attacker Lucas Raymondthe fourth overall pick in the 2020 draft, finished fourth in the voting for the Calder.
Video: DET@NJD: Seider gets his 50th point of the season
Simon Edvinsson, drafted sixth in 2021, could earn a spot with the Red Wings this season.
“Everyone throughout the League knows that this is a young and growing team,” said Chiarot, who signed a four-year contract worth $19 million (annual salary of 4 $.75 million) on July 14. “With all the acquisitions, there is even more excitement around the team. Steve Yzerman builds good teams. I think everyone knows that. »
It’s also what drew Perron to Detroit. He agreed to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million ($4.75 million annual salary) on July 13.
“Every time Steve Yzerman calls you, it gets your attention,” Perron said. “I had a few options which I evaluated with my agent and my family. The Red Wings are a team that’s ready to take the next step in their evolution, and I wanted to be a part of that. »
Yzerman expects a lot of excitement at the start of training camp. With a new coach and several new players, there will be competition for positions and ice time, and everyone will want to make a good impression.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, with a bit of nervousness,” Yzerman said. I think we have more depth. I think we can compete with other teams and I’m crossing my fingers that we can. »