Yzerman's drafting has been fairly good. I would have liked to have seen him take a few more risks in the early drafts on some higher skilled guys in later rounds, but he has done well in the 1st rounds so far making sure that he hits on his picks. Seider, Ed, Kasper, Ray all look like value picks where he took. He never got a top 3 but we've definitely snagged some top 3 talent in the drafts. Danielson, MBN, ASP, and Cossa are TBD but trending pretty well.
His trades have been decent outside of the Walman deal. Even the Kiiskanen deal is looking solid if you separate it from the Walman deal. The only clear loser has been the Walman deal. Everything else has been either a win or fairly even I'd say.
He has over committed to vets a bit, and this has lead to some less than great UFA signings. Like we didn't need both Petry and Holl. We also didn't need both Compher and Copp. I don't mind overpaying a bit on one or the other but not both. We didn't need any of the UFA signings this year except Talbot. Gus, Tank, Motte, Fischer (I give him a bit of a break on this one) have all been bad. I wouldn't have even minded taking a chance on Tank for a 1 year deal but committing to two was risky.
You don't need to rush out to get meh 3rd/4th liners, and 3rd pair d guys. They are always available on waivers, and honestly some of the waiver guys have been better. If the kids can't cut it, use a low pick to deal for one. I'm still bummed we didn't take a flier on Fabbro.
I get the want to not rush guys to the NHL level, but Berg, 1 Extra Kid Forward (won by Kasper), Ed, and Aljo should have all had planned roster spots this year. Heck Ed and Berg probably should have had planned spots the year before. The tie shouldn't go to the vet when you aren't even a for sure bet to make the playoffs. The kids are the ones that have the greatest chance to improve their play.
The RFA deals on the marquee players has been solid. Mantha (& then dealing) Seider, Ray, Larkin, DBC are all on really solid deals. The mid guys have been more meh. I don't has the Ras deal but the Zadina and Veleno deals weren't great. I just didn't see the potential in either by the point they were signed. Ras at least has 20 games a season were he looks like he could be more, and is a legit nightmare for teams on the boards.
This year was really the 1st that Yzerman disappointed me. This was the first time I didn't really understand the moves he was making or his vision. Hanging onto Lalonde and not addressing the defense were major fails for me. Also not having Kasper up from day 1 was also a joke. Again it wasn't even a tie with a vet, he was clearly the better player compared to most of our bottom 6.
He needs to start moving this team in a direction. Its either lets move for the playoffs starting next season or lets wait on the kids and start getting some assets for this mid aged vets. Being a bubble team lands you in NHL purgatory. You either need high picks or you need playoff experience. Hovering at the bubble is not acceptable after this season, and honestly makes this season a bit of a disappointment. This is the first year I don't feel like the team grew.