I still believe in the Yzerplan even though he has definitely made a few moves I dislike. I think the big disconnect is that people think Yzerman is building to compete soon in the Larkin period when he really isn't.
He is trying to make a team that doesn't have a total loser mentality so that when we have the foundation to compete, we don't lose half those years looking like the pre-McDavid Oilers. I do think the goal is at least playoffs starting next season but we are likely looking at being 1st maybe 2nd round fodder for the next 3 years.
We aren't probably going to be competing for a cup until DBC is gone, Larkin has settled into a 2nd line role and Seider/Ed/ASP/Kasper/Danielson/Buch/Ray etc are leading this team. That's probably another 3 years. If all of those guys develop ahead of schedule maybe we can get there sooner, but this is a team that if it is successful is going to be built around the back end. Successful defensive teams tend to be a bit older.
People will point to the DBC and Kane signings as trying to move out of the rebuild but they weren't. It just was the end of the straight tanking period. The Wings even without those guys probably aren't finishing bottom 5, so there is no point in a tank. If you fall in that middle ground you mise well try for the playoffs because picking 12 or 15th isn't a huge difference most years. And if you've moved into that period you mise well employ a semi entertaining team so that fans have something to watch. Its ultimately still about making money. Kane and DBC sell tickets.
We won't know Yzerman's legacy until we see if he can build a competitive core with and around Seider, Ray, Ed, Kasper, Cossa, Danielson, and ASP. Half those guys aren't in the NHL this year and many won't be for at least 2 more years.
Holland killed the Wings with his 2010-2008 drafts. It's basically Larkin, Hronek, and Bert in 9 drafts; everyone else has been very underwhelming if they even made the NHL. There is still a chance for Ras and Berggy but that is brutal. Maybe Vegas can salvage Mantha.