Detroit Red Wings team employee goes against Steve Yzerman and it's a major issue for the organization
Photo credit: NHL.com
General manager Steve Yzerman hired Nicklas Lidstrom to serve as vice president of hockey operations, but a recent statement by the Detroit Red Wings legend has revealed it's hurting the organization more than anything.
When approached by Yzerman, Lidstrom had one deal breaker: if it couldn't be met, he wouldn't accept the role with the Detroit Red Wings as vice president of hockey operations.
«I said that I will stay in Sweden when I get the chance,» Lidstrom said to the
Swedish Hockey News.
Swedish Hockey News.
This doesn't seem like much of an issue if you're a pro scout or are in a player development role with the organization. But Lidstrom is the vice president of hockey operations, someone who has a lot of in-person duties on his shoulders involving the current roster.
As VP of hockey operations, basic requirements include official player development, strategic development, rule enforcement for players, and maintaining healthy integrity within the roster, just to name a few.
Lidstrom himself reveals he "maybe" visits Detroit every other month to work, in a role that should be full-time.
«So I am based here (Sweden), but travel over from time to time.
«It may be every other month that I go over and work.»
-Nicklas Lidstrom
«It may be every other month that I go over and work.»
-Nicklas Lidstrom
Detroit Red Wings must stop hiring old talent if they want to take a next step
Heading into what could be their tenth straight season without a playoff appearence, Lidstrom still remains in the same role.
«I remain in the same role as before,» Lidstrom said. «I will mainly scout here in Sweden, see our guys we have and scout as a pro scout, i.e., on possible free agents.
«And then I travel over (to Detroit) a number of times. About five or six times per season.»
«And then I travel over (to Detroit) a number of times. About five or six times per season.»
Perhaps the Detroit Red Wings should consider hiring someone that could truly flourish and oversee hockey operations in a vice president role, rather than a former player who has no experience but hockey knowledge.
«I think it's fun to be back in the organization again,» Lidstrom said. «When you were a player, you had one role, but in management, it's a different role.
«You build the team and look at it from a different perspective than as a player. I really enjoy the role I have.»
«You build the team and look at it from a different perspective than as a player. I really enjoy the role I have.»
Hired in 2022, Lidstrom appears to be having fun in this minimal-pressure role, while the Red Wings struggle.
Do you think front office changes are needed to be made?
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 293 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings team employee goes against Steve Yzerman and it's a major issue for the organization Do you think the Detroit Red Wings should fire Nicklas Lidstrom? | ||
| Yes | 44 | 15 % |
| Maybe | 54 | 18.4 % |
| No | 195 | 66.6 % |
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