Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman Clashes With Dylan Larkin During Season-Ending Interviews
Photo credit: NHL
Yesterday, at a press conference wrapping up the season, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, alongside coach Todd McLellan, took some jabs at team captain Dylan Larkin to start things off.
The Red Wings missed the playoffs this year.
Despite McLellan improving the team, they couldn't overtake teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets for a wild-card spot and many believe a key part in their decline was the lack of help delivered by Steve Yzerman at the NHL trade deadline.
Frustrated, Larkin criticized Yzerman for not making big trades at the deadline. Instead of using available money and draft picks to bring in top players, Yzerman only added veterans like Craig Smith and Petr Mrazek.
Larkin said, «We didn't do anything, and it felt like the team lost momentum after the trade deadline. The guys were down about it.»
In response, Yzerman praised the Canadiens' top player for leading them to the playoffs-a clear shot at Larkin.
Yzerman claimed there were «good options» for trades but didn't act, using the Canadiens' success as an excuse, while also throwing Larkin under the bus by stating he (Yzerman) expected his top players to lead their team.
During his exit interview media session, Dylan Larkin said it would have been nice for Detroit to be more active at the trade deadline «for a morale boost.»
Yesterday, Steve Yzerman said he expects Detroit's best players and leaders to provide that morale boost.
Yesterday, Steve Yzerman said he expects Detroit's best players and leaders to provide that morale boost.
Players like Brad Marchand, Fabian Zetterlund, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Dylan Cozens were available at the March 7th trade deadline.
Those players are now on playoff teams, while the Red Wings are stuck watching from the sidelines.
While not all are game-changing players, they are depth pieces that the Red Wings could've capitalized on while having injuries to forwards Andrew Copp and Elmer Soderblom.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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