What to Make of the Yzerplan?

[Winger98]

- And also, personal opinion and not exactly related to your writeup but I didn't like the Maatta trade, would have preferred keeping him and at least try him next to Seider, especially after the coaching change. Hard to say as this is a lot of guessing but I personally think this is a mistake but far from a big deal in the end, but it reinforces the thought that the pro scouting is really really bad.

Just to jump in but I'm guessing Maatta was moved because he was the most movable. It didn't cost us assets, we didn't have to retain salary, and the move could be made right away. Is he better than Holl? Yeah, but we would have probably had to package something with Holl to make that move, or take something back we didn't want. I think the priority was just clearing space.

I think something similar was at play in moving veleno, too.

 

[Run the Jewels]

It wasn't just the Suzuki trade, they also didn't go and sign a bunch of unskilled "character" guys .

Generally speaking, I have been impressed with Montreal's talent acquisition. In my article I go over the failures of our NA scouting under Holland in excruciating detail and I am very much in wait and see mode with the NA scouts under Yzerman. The good news is Yzerman has made changes to his NA scouting team since he's been here, so my hope is this group continues to be held accountable.

 

[Henkka]

I wanted to put all of my thoughts together in one spot, so I created a Substack article to cover the state of the franchise when Steve Yzerman returned, his drafting strategy, his free agent signings, and when I think the team will turn the corner.

This article is very long, but it's free to read - no paywall, no advertising. I'd be interested in your thoughts..

Here's the link: What to Make of the Yzerplan?

Absolutely great writing, as collecting everything together. The present and the past.

Big thanks about it, now I can deliver that to my Wings-friends.

It still was nothing news for me, though. Been writing the same things in here for years.

 

[Frk It]

Props (genuinely) for putting together a public-facing, long-form article that expresses your thoughts.

I like the format and visuals, can tell you spent a lot of time on it.

 

[FMichael]

I've said it multiple times...WTF??!!

And people are ragging on Larkin but the front office then/today somehow gets a slap on the wrist...

"There’s an interesting connection here that compounded this awful pick, as defenseman Quinn Hughes, who played locally for the National Team Development Program and at the University of Michigan, was developed right in Detroit’s back yard. I’ve heard from someone through the internet who has some connection to Detroit’s scouts say that drafting Hughes was a non-starter for the Red Wings, and if Zadina had been selected before Detroit picked at 6, they would have taken another defenseman like Evan Bouchard. They absolutely were not going to take Hughes."


I do like the Kasper/Bennett comparison...