Steve Yzerman’s tenure as General Manager (GM) of the Detroit Red Wings has not been spotless, though it has been marked by significant progress and a commitment to rebuilding the team into a competitive force in the NHL. Yzerman took over as GM of the Red Wings in April 2019, after a long and storied career as both a player and executive in the NHL. Known for his leadership on the ice and his work as GM for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Yzerman was expected to turn around the fortunes of a team that had fallen into mediocrity after years of success. While the results have generally been positive, Yzerman’s record as GM isn’t without its blemishes.
When Yzerman arrived in Detroit, the Red Wings were in the midst of a rebuild following years of declining performance after their last Stanley Cup win in 2008. The team’s once-strong core, including legends like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, was aging, and the franchise was struggling to remain competitive in a league that was becoming increasingly fast and physical. Yzerman immediately set to work on what would become a multi-year rebuilding project, focusing on drafting young talent, bolstering the team’s prospects, and making calculated trades.
One of the key components of Yzerman’s approach was securing high draft picks, and this strategy has paid off with selections like Moritz Seider (6th overall, 2019) and Lucas Raymond (4th overall, 2020), both of whom are expected to become foundational pieces of the team for years to come. These draft picks represent significant success in Yzerman’s tenure, as they have not only shown potential but also filled positions of need for the team.
However, while Yzerman’s drafts have generally been strong, his record in free agency and trades has been more mixed. His acquisition of veteran players has often been viewed as transitional rather than transformative. For example, his signing of players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Marc Staal provided immediate depth, but these moves were typically short-term solutions for a team in the midst of a rebuild. Yzerman’s biggest free-agent signing to date has been defenseman Ben Chiarot, a move that has received its fair share of criticism, particularly when Chiarot’s performance didn’t meet the high expectations set for him.
Additionally, Yzerman’s trade record hasn’t been without controversy. While some of his trades, such as the acquisition of Alex Nedeljkovic in 2021, have paid off, others have left fans and analysts questioning his moves. A notable example was the trade of Anthony Mantha to the Washington Capitals in 2021 for a package including Jakub Vrana, a trade that seemed to solidify the Red Wings’ future but was met with mixed reviews due to the uncertainty surrounding Vrana’s long-term role with the team.
Despite these occasional missteps, it’s clear that Yzerman’s tenure has been marked by a deliberate, long-term vision. The Red Wings are a better team today than they were when he took over, and the future looks promising thanks to the young talent that’s been injected into the lineup. With more draft picks on the horizon and a steady hand at the helm, Yzerman’s work isn’t done yet, and the Red Wings are likely to remain a team to watch in the years to come.
In conclusion, while Steve Yzerman’s record as GM of the Detroit Red Wings is far from spotless, his approach has laid a solid foundation for future success. His ability to evaluate talent, both through the draft and in trades, has given the Red Wings hope for a return to glory. There have been bumps along the way, but the team is undeniably heading in the right direction under his leadership.
