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NHL insider unveils Steve Yzerman is officially on the hot seat
In a new report, the NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed that the Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman could be on the hot seat.
After making many promising acquisitions in recent years, the Detroit Red Wings have been close to having breakout seasons for the past two campaigns, but it came really close after they parted ways with Derek Lalonde as head coach and replaced him with Todd McLellan.
That move was important for the team, and next year, with him behind the bench right from the get-go, the Red Wings could be in a much better position in the playoff race.
However, the coach and the players needed another boost, and General Manager Steve Yzerman didn't deliver.
Team captain Dylan Larkin didn't shy away from speaking his truth during his end-of-season press conference.
With all their young players, the team should be in a great position. Analysts and experts are starting to see that Yzerman made a few mistakes, and it could lead to him being in the hot seat in the coming years.
Frank Seravalli believes that Yzerman must make moves this summer to help the team get to the next level. The insider stated that Detroit already has players like Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, who can bring the finishing touches to a team, but no players who can actually get you there, or at least help the younger guys lead to the promised land.
In his own words:
"I think he has no choice but to be aggressive. I think we've gone this far in the Yzerplan that they need to show significant progress. I thought a significant move in bringing in Todd McLellan, who appeared to buoy this team for a bit of time after Boxing Day, and then they fell off again.
I think they've made the mistake of putting the cart before the horse. You see Patrick Kane. He was fine last season. But that's a whipped cream on a sundae. Vladimir Tarasenko is a cherry on top. Those are for contending teams, not teams that are trying to break in and be playoff teams. You've got to have young players that are part of your core that can help get you there. Yes, you need veteran support, but it has to be more than that."
I think they've made the mistake of putting the cart before the horse. You see Patrick Kane. He was fine last season. But that's a whipped cream on a sundae. Vladimir Tarasenko is a cherry on top. Those are for contending teams, not teams that are trying to break in and be playoff teams. You've got to have young players that are part of your core that can help get you there. Yes, you need veteran support, but it has to be more than that."
Listen to his full intervention on Daily Faceoff in the video below:
If he can't take his team to the playoffs soon, a front-office change will be considered in Detroit, and it'll be up to Yzerman to do what it takes to keep his job.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 143 ANSWERS NHL insider unveils Steve Yzerman is officially on the hot seat Do you think Steve Yzerman will be fired at the end of the next season if the Detroit Red Wings don't make it to the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 40.6 % |
| No | 85 | 59.4 % |
| List of polls | ||