Statistically they were dogshit together.
Also, the more I think about it, the more I circle back to this team needing to use those free agency bucks on a 2RD upgrade instead of on Tank and Kane. I get that Yzerman didn't want to commit long term money and spent on the short term for those guys, we have a gaping hole on right defense after Mo. I think it'll only be more evident this season.
Mediocre teams with both a short-term goal of making playoffs and committed to a long-term rebuild are not going to solve all their problems in one or two off-seasons. Wings only last year went from a bad team to a mediocre team. They aren't going to take the next step to being a good team in one off-season. They're still not at the top of the list of FA desirable destinations nor only a couple players short of being a contender. It's going to be a revolving door of at-best adequate short-term solutions while prospects develop.
We don't know that Roy for example ever wanted to come to Detroit or if there were discussions with other FAs. We don't know how close SY was to getting Trouba or if Detroit ever talked to Seattle about acquiring Larsson before he re-signed there. There was a lot of Cap uncertainty because of Raymond/Seider, Veleno going to arbitration. What seemed important to SY was keeping Kane, replacing Perron and Ghost with no drop-off, improving in goal. A 2RD was also always on that to-do list and it's the one thing that didn't get addressed, at least so far. There are trade avenues available even now with moveable salaries like Maatta and Veleno, potentially more Cap space if/when Husso goes on LTIR, a deep prospect pool. Maybe someone like Gudas or Fabbro can be acquired.
I think it all comes down to how important it is to SY to make the playoffs this season. They should be close just with the roster they have now. They can score and goaltending should be better. Edvinsson having a great season would go a long way to improving the D, better D-zone play by everyone should be an emphasis from Day 1. If 2RD is a continuing problem, maybe something can be done mid-season or at the TDL. It's very easy to second-guess things when so much had to be done and still does.