Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has taken a lot of flak following yet another turbulent March. He\u2019s nearing the end of his seventh season in the Red Wings front office, and he has yet to get this team into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet once again, he has the Wings knocking on the door.<\/p>\n
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman recently speculated on Steve Yzerman\u2019s future with the Red Wings and provided a theory of his own.<\/em><\/p>\n Analysis: Missing the playoffs for a seventh-straight season under Yzerman could move him out of his general manager\u2019s seat in multiple ways.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n On the March 30th addition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman said<\/a>, \u201cThere’s conversation right now, is Steve Yzerman in trouble if they don’t make it; may I present an alternate theory…Yzerman goes up to president of hockey operations and they promote like Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Promoting Yzerman to president of hockey operations would be shortsighted, considering his track record in Detroit. It would also be shortsighted to force him out of the GM\u2019s chair, even if the fans and the organization are showing signs of impatience.<\/p>\n Credit Image: \u00a9 Kirthmon F. Dozier\/Detroit Free Press via ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n Yzerman earned his stripes with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa is still relevant today, and Yzerman\u2019s efforts were a catalyst. So, when the Red Wings legend returned home to Hockeytown, fans thought for sure he\u2019d have the team crossing the playoff threshold.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, that may not be the case again this season. But that doesn\u2019t mean Yzerman must go anywhere. No, the Red Wings aren\u2019t deep. And no, they don\u2019t have enough proven stars next to Dylan Larkin<\/a>, Moritz Seider<\/a>, Lucas Raymond<\/a>, and Alex DeBrincat<\/a>.<\/p>\n The jury is out on Simon Edvinsson<\/a>, even if he\u2019s trending upward. Emmitt Finnie<\/a> is a high-energy player, but isn\u2019t yet a consistent producer. Marco Kasper<\/a> brings a similar brand as Finnie, but his production tanked this season.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, players like Justin Faulk<\/a>, John Gibson<\/a>, Patrick Kane<\/a>, James van Riemsdyk<\/a>, and Ben Chiarot<\/a> are well into their thirties. There are no guarantees any of them will be in town much longer beyond their respective contracts. And the young talent who could replace some of them isn\u2019t proven. That said, it’s tough to move from a general manager who has this team playing meaningful games in March and April.<\/p>\n Detroit’s March struggles have become a recurring theme. But in each season, they entered March firmly entrenched in a playoff spot. That alone shows improvement.<\/p>\n When you take a team that had been torn down and embarked on a long rebuilding project, this is what growing pains look like. Growing pains also mean the team has grown, or else they wouldn\u2019t be contending to end their playoff drought in April.<\/p>\n Since the Wings surpassed their 2024-25 points total on Thursday, they grew yet again. So why would anyone consider moving on from Yzerman? The playoffs may or may not happen this season, but getting the team on the verge means the postseason is there for the taking with a few more tweaks.<\/p>\n If the Wings miss the playoffs again, two things must happen. One, Yzerman must feel the pressure. Two, because he must feel pressure, he also needs to potentially make blockbuster moves<\/a>. That might mean giving up prospects to a low-tier team for proven talent. Looking at the big picture, trading unproven youngsters for a player (or two) you know can play shouldn\u2019t take much thought.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not like this team is in the early stages of a rebuild. Even if it means parting ways with a former first-round pick or even a future first-rounder, do it. The good news is that it might not even take a major price to bring in enough talent to all but make the Red Wings a lock for the playoffs in the future.<\/p>\n The bottom six has been inconsistent all season. Even if a big-time trade is off the table, acquiring grinders, depth scorers, and heavy hitters would make for an excellent consolation prize. Getting just three players to retool the bottom six could pay dividends.<\/p>\nSteve Yzerman\u2019s Time With the Red Wings Has Been Turbulent<\/h3>\n
Steve Yzerman Still Has the Red Wings in Contention Annually<\/h3>\n
Steve Yzerman\u2019s Sense of Urgency Must Increase Dramatically<\/h3>\n