Yzerman End of Season pressconference

[lilidk]

Criticism of Rasmussen is so stupid. He’s disappointing for where he was picked and had a down year, but he’s fine for what he brings. His contract is nothing to worry about too. There’s like 6 forwards on the team that bring less than him. People’s issues with Rasmussen has always been of what they wish he was rather than what he is. He is not a soft player, I wouldn’t say he’s super physical either but he’s certainly not soft.

I hate how he’s become a whipping boy, compher, copp, tarasenko, and everyone on the 4th line have been bigger issues than Rasmussen. Sure criticizing him is fine, but let’s not act like he’s anywhere near the top of the list for the teams issues.

don't understand why they don't use him as net front. In juniors it was his bread and butter.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I have no idea how he is in the room now but Raymond could be a leader on this team. He's so clutch, it's obvious how much he hates losing. And the guy fought Chiarot in practice but just as importantly got over it and was a good teammate.

Obviously with the dust up going on with Larkin and Yzerman I think it could be lost that when he talked about big contracts also are leaders that's a part of what they are paying for, Yzerman was talking about the two young star building blocks as well. I think they want more out of Seider and Raymond here as well. Honestly, I think they are learning it and I do expect growth in this department. I am curious for the step forward out of Edvinsson, he actually has a more natural mean streak to him. I think he is going to be a guy that drags them into the fight at times shortly.

 

[lilidk]

I believe everyone who blames on Yzerman about trade deadline should be traded. I don't know how Wings were not sellers there.
Buium for Larkin?

 

[rangersblues]

I believe everyone who blames on Yzerman about trade deadline should be traded. I don't know how Wings were not sellers there.
Buium for Larkin?

This I agree with. The Wings roster was not a playoff team without overpayment for a significant addition. But whose fault was that?

 

[SirloinUB]

Criticism of Rasmussen is so stupid. He’s disappointing for where he was picked and had a down year, but he’s fine for what he brings. His contract is nothing to worry about too. There’s like 6 forwards on the team that bring less than him. People’s issues with Rasmussen has always been of what they wish he was rather than what he is. He is not a soft player, I wouldn’t say he’s super physical either but he’s certainly not soft.

I hate how he’s become a whipping boy, compher, copp, tarasenko, and everyone on the 4th line have been bigger issues than Rasmussen. Sure criticizing him is fine, but let’s not act like he’s anywhere near the top of the list for the teams issues.

A-f***ing-men, Reg, a-f***ing-men.

 

[stillwater]

So, what do you think should be done? Have Yzerman draw up an informal questionnaire and have all the players fill it out and then trade every player who remotely disagreed with the way he handled the trade deadline?

I mean, this is the NHL. You can't just trade players away every time there's some disconnect with management. You want all the players to just fall in line behind Yzerman? He's their boss, not their captain.

It's patently absurd to assume that all players are always going to agree with everything management does. This is the real world, not some fantasyland.

 

[stillwater]

I'm curious.

What does Ras "bring"?

Instead of whining when someone calls Ras out ... how about explaining exactly what he "brings" that the Red Wings couldn't do without or replace on Day 3 of free agency?

 

[saska sault]

I'm curious.

What does Ras "bring"?

Instead of whining when someone calls Ras out ... how about explaining exactly what he "brings" that the Red Wings couldn't do without or replace on Day 3 of free agency?

I defended Ras for a long time... he has had multiple seasons where there was injuries, lack of depth, different guys playing up and down the line up and he brings zero intensity regardless. This last season losing Copp then Mazur was a perfect time to just be a tough guy to play against, maybe chip in some offense, throw a big hit, be some spark for the team.. you dont get really anything. Sure he plays sound defense, takes up lanes.... regardless of where he was drafted, his development has stalled for way too long at a relatively young age. Still able to turn it around and has a few years left on his deal but I do not doubt Yzerman was referring to him when mentioning being tough to play against, playing physical, etc.

Maybe its a culture thing/coaching style/team make up but when Kasper and Debrincat are the 2 players with the most sandpaper you are gonna get walked on a lot.

 

[Run the Jewels]

One thing specifically with Rasmussen: he averaged 1:45 mins per game short-handed in 2023-24 and had pretty solid advanced stats. This year they cut his short handed ice time down to basically 45 seconds. It looks like they gave him more PP time, but he didn't make much of a difference, averaging 1.5 goals per 60 and 1.5 assists per 60. By comparison, Burgers with similar ice time put up double the goals per 60. The larger point is the power play was killing it, was Ras really instrumental to that unit? There isn't anything I can see in the data that suggests he was, and I'm legit interested if anyone can make a case for his role on the power play. Seriously.

With the penalty kill not quite reaching the elevated status of warmed over dog s**t, I wonder why they didn't have Rasmussen play more minutes? Relying heavily on Compher and Motte did not work, which may shock some people.

 

[SCD]

Rasmussen must have a balance issue. He cannot stay on top of his skates when things get physical. It effects puck battles, net front positioning, and any physicality.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Rasmussen must have a balance issue. He cannot stay on top of his skates when things get physical. It effects puck battles, net front positioning, and any physicality.

Plus he is soft and have no hands in tight or in general. He is just big and young. In a redraft he would go in the late second early third round.

 

[Geezer WC]

Rasmussen must have a balance issue. He cannot stay on top of his skates when things get physical. It effects puck battles, net front positioning, and any physicality.

Guy falls over as often as Mike Commodore.

 

[USAHockey97]

Yzerman's first five years here we've drafted 6,4,6,8, and 9. And I think the draft screwed us every single one of those years, and (my opinion) we're going to end up drafting guys who will be seen as top5 of their draft every single year. I'm not sure it's worth it going out of your way to be worse than that over a 5 year stretch.

Though, I think how that is really done isn't by not signing Copp, Compher, etc. It's by burying Seider and Raymond a little longer. But is that as good for their development? Do we want to hold them back like that? And if we are putting them in the NHL, do we want to put them with even worse teammates to try to draft 4th instead of 6th?

Yzerman has rebuilt the prospect pool, we have a bunch of guys knocking on the door to move from prospect to NHLer, and those mediocre UFA are rolling off the books over the next couple of years. We're in pretty good shape to keep moving forward.

I hope you are right. I’m cheering for a good outcome. That said, the podcasts I’ve listened to and articles I’ve read alluded to that missing high level piece in the prospect pool. I’m holding out hope Raymond and Seider turn into that.

 

[rangersblues]

I hope you are right. I’m cheering for a good outcome. That said, the podcasts I’ve listened to and articles I’ve read alluded to that missing high level piece in the prospect pool. I’m holding out hope Raymond and Seider turn into that.

While we have gotten screwed in draft position, I'd argue that most of our first round picks have been ok under Yzerman. The problem is we're getting nothing after the first round. I realize the odds of getting a decent player go down considerably as the draft goes on, but you need something.

 

[RabidBadger]

This I agree with. The Wings roster was not a playoff team without overpayment for a significant addition. But whose fault was that?

I think the current roster could have been a playoff team. There's not a lot of separation from the bottom playoff teams and the ones that finished just outside of a playoff spot. The Wings issues have been thoroughly discussed; Fester not fired soon enough, Larkin and Raymond fading, etc. The main difference to me was that Montreal's roster played hard from the 1st line to the 4th.

Coming full circle to your point, I do agree some type of upgrade would have been nice. I'd have been ecstatic to add someone to the bottom 6 that has a pulse.

 

[lilidk]

This I agree with. The Wings roster was not a playoff team without overpayment for a significant addition. But whose fault was that?

I blame both Yzerman and Larkin. One didn't bring right players last summer and another, who Played like injured and in four nations went superstar mode and after that played like injured again.

 

[Luceni]

I think the presser made clear that Yzerman:

- isn't interested in offersheeting RFA
- is very unhappy with the goalie performances
- Wants to give Tarasenko another shot
- want's to keep Kane
- isn't very happy about Larkins comments
- is looking out for deals in the offseason, if it's going to improve the team.

IMO Yzerman sounded like someone who wants to get a promotion as president to let someone else do the daily shit.

 

[JediOrderPizza]

I think the presser made clear that Yzerman:

- isn't interested in offersheeting RFA
- is very unhappy with the goalie performances
- Wants to give Tarasenko another shot
- want's to keep Kane
- isn't very happy about Larkins comments
- is looking out for deals in the offseason, if it's going to improve the team.

IMO Yzerman sounded like someone who wants to get a promotion as president to let someone else do the daily shit.

I think he would if it would actually work, the Blues thing was a one time thing. Fans are pointing at that and going, well do that! But Oilers were stuck in a hard place, and this summer everyone is going to have money as he said in the press conference. So you'd have to do a crazy big lose multiple 1st rounders type to get a guy probably not worth that.

 

[Run the Jewels]

I think the presser made clear that Yzerman:

- isn't interested in offersheeting RFA
- is very unhappy with the goalie performances
- Wants to give Tarasenko another shot
- want's to keep Kane
- isn't very happy about Larkins comments
- is looking out for deals in the offseason, if it's going to improve the team.

IMO Yzerman sounded like someone who wants to get a promotion as president to let someone else do the daily shit.

Nah, he kept things pretty high level as is his way. He let Todd do the dirty work and say the team has shitty leadership and that's why they missed the playoffs. Three straight years they have folded in March when the battle for playoff position really begins.

You are accurate about offer sheets, while Yzerman was forced to say he probably has to consider them as a tool to improve his team, he didn't seem too keen on the entire concept.

 

[schuelma24]

I think he would if it would actually work, the Blues thing was a one time thing. Fans are pointing at that and going, well do that! But Oilers were stuck in a hard place, and this summer everyone is going to have money as he said in the press conference. So you'd have to do a crazy big lose multiple 1st rounders type to get a guy probably not worth that.

Only team I could see it possibly working on is Rangers with Miller and/or Cuylle. They have less than 10M in cap space remaining already without either of them signed, and I'm assuming Drury wants to spend in FA as well.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

Only team I could see it possibly working on is Rangers with Miller and/or Cuylle. They have less than 10M in cap space remaining already without either of them signed, and I'm assuming Drury wants to spend in FA as well.

I’m sure they’ll get rid of kreider. They won’t lose cuylle

 

[USAHockey97]

While we have gotten screwed in draft position, I'd argue that most of our first round picks have been ok under Yzerman. The problem is we're getting nothing after the first round. I realize the odds of getting a decent player go down considerably as the draft goes on, but you need something.

Agreed. 2nd round and beyond hasn’t resulted in any gems yet. Time will tell. Raymond, Seider and Edvinson are great pieces. Hopefully Kasper, Danielson, ASP, Cossa, and MBN can join them.

 

[jkutswings]

Nah, he kept things pretty high level as is his way. He let Todd do the dirty work and say the team has shitty leadership and that's why they missed the playoffs.

If only this were the whole truth. Detroit also does not have enough talent to be a playoff team.

EDIT: @Run the Jewels , laugh all you want. Justin Holl does not belong in the NHL. Berggren, Lagesson, Motte, Petry, and Smith are all 13th forward / 7th defenseman caliber guys. Compher and Tarasenko both had lousy seasons and look cooked.

The top half of the lineup guys need to raise their game. Most of the bottom half of the lineup guys need to leave.

 

[deca guard]

If only this were the whole truth. Detroit also does not have enough talent to be a playoff team.

exactly . and thats just circumstancial as its nobodys fault today that the redwings are having to endure a long rebuild because assets were spent to keep the playoff streak running . this is where a wise team president is needed to keep everybody in the organization on the same page in order to avoid clashes .

EDIT : a team president explains to entire organization team position = if you sign the best and longest term ufa on market (mean while the best ufa dont wanna sign with junk team anyway) all you do is create a roster that might get in but not win hardware . mean while you weaken draft position which is what your future depends on ! so you sign hard working company men like cvhariot-copp-perron to help build team culture on/off ice while not having to commit long term huge cap to them . during this era your replenishing the depth chart n developing the prospects . plus drafting in better position because didnt sign better ufa = very important ! and when the prospects start arriving the good company men contracts start running out and thats when you become competive and look to sign high level ufa . mean while players are being paid millions of dollars to be good company men and keep their complaints private

 

[SirloinUB]

I'm curious.

What does Ras "bring"?

Instead of whining when someone calls Ras out ... how about explaining exactly what he "brings" that the Red Wings couldn't do without or replace on Day 3 of free agency?

He’s been a 15 goal, 35 point guy that brings more physically than anyone else on the roster. On a reasonable contract, that’s a useful piece in the bottom 6.

We’ve got a handful of guys that contribute less.