Where did Yzerman go wrong with the rebuild?

[Henkka]

To beat a dead horse:

Ed-Mo
Walman-Hronek
Chiarot-Maata

This would have been a decent defense.

You add 3.4M (Walman) and 7.25M Hronek in caphits.

So you don't sign 3.4M Holl, and 2.0M Gustafsson on those off-seasons.

That's 5.25M less in cap space. Then there's no Kane at season before, because Hronek existed. And no Kane proably at all.

Also, Yzerman got draft picks from Hronek and used the 1st to draft Sandin Pellikka. That 2nd was traded down for Brady Cleveland + extra 5th pick Kevin Bicker.

So this Hronek-trade basicly is transferring the rebuild timeline back with 8 years, from 27-year old Hronek to 19-year old Pellikka. Plus getting some extra draft picks and opening cap space for short-term help.

 

[Lampedampe]

You add 3.4M (Walman) and 7.25M Hronek in caphits.

So you don't sign 3.4M Holl, and 2.0M Gustafsson on those off-seasons.

That's 5.25M less in cap space. Then there's no Kane at season before, because Hronek existed. And no Kane proably at all.

I'd be fine with that.

If he doesn't trade for Petry there would be money for Kane though, right?

A lot of things probably would have been different if Yzerman kept Hronek.