{"id":489447,"date":"2026-04-27T13:41:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T17:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=489447"},"modified":"2026-04-27T13:42:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T17:42:33","slug":"nhl-rumours-detroit-red-wings-offseason-need-general-manager-steve-yzerman-can-no-longer-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/04\/27\/nhl-rumours-detroit-red-wings-offseason-need-general-manager-steve-yzerman-can-no-longer-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: One Detroit Red Wings Offseason Need Steve Yzerman Can’t Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to NHL Rumours and the Detroit Red Wings offseason needs are aplenty, and there\u2019s one major need that will immediately bring about improvement for the on-ice product. Detroit must find a top-line left winger and stop this issue from being a revolving door. While a current name like Alex DeBrincat<\/a> can fill the void<\/a>, he\u2019s best suited for the second line alongside Patrick Kane, who expressed his interest in returning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours and Detroit Red Wings Must Find a Top-Line Winger in Offseason<\/h2>\n

Rumour: Max Bultman touched on this in a recent offseason checklist<\/a>. Bultman wrote that it\u2019s \u201cworthwhile to search for a proven answer on the top line next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, or, at a minimum, a flier on a player who has the potential to become one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis: <\/strong>For a team that\u2019s looking to stop collapsing so often in March, finding a top-line left winger is non-negotiable. General manager Steve Yzerman is also well aware that inconsistent scoring and lack of production at 5-on-5 were major issues for the Red Wings.<\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Credit Image: \u00a9 Anthony Nesmith\/Cal Sport Media<\/span><\/p>\n

How bad did it get for the Red Wings at 5-on-5? Detroit scored on a shooting percentage of just 7.5 and put up just 143 goals. Compared to the rest of the NHL, the Red Wings\u2019 shooting percentage at 5-on-5 was 1.2 percent lower, and their actual goals scored rested at 25 below the league average.<\/p>\n

They scored just 43 times on high-danger chances, converting 6.5 percent of those chances into goals. Compare those numbers with the other 31 teams, and the Wings sat 17 goals and 2.3 percent below the rest of the NHL. If they can keep DeBrincat on the second line, re-sign Patrick Kane<\/a>, and acquire a first-line left winger, those awful numbers won\u2019t look as bad.<\/p>\n

\n

Steve Yzerman opens his Red Wings season-ending press conference addressing what this team needs to do to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most obvious would be need better players. We need to improve in particular areas, goal scoring, particularly five-on-five,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Yzerman said it\u2019s on\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/SzV797apG8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n