Detroit Red Wings’ Todd McLellan reveals Steve Yzerman’s trade deadline plans
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Detroit Red Wings’ own Todd McLellan has unveiled Steve Yzerman’s trade deadline plans as a contender.
Could 2026 be the first time we see the Detroit Red Wings become buyers during the trade deadline? Todd McLellan believes that Steve Yzerman should be at the deadline, as the team has earned 70 points this season in 55 games.
Good enough for 2nd in the Atlantic Division (32-17-6) after their 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals last night.
“I think we’re a better hockey club (than last season), just flat out,” Todd McLellan said Friday on 97.1 The Ticket. “Our roster is a little bit better than it was last year. We’re getting some better goaltending than we had last year, but overall starting in training camp we talked about getting physically and mentally stronger and we’ve really pounded that day after day into the players and I think they’re starting to believe in it, especially between the ears. I think that we stick with things a little bit longer, a little more resilient. We believe we have a chance right to the bitter end, as we did last night. And I give the players credit for that, they’ve responded well.”
They managed to gain a point after overcoming a two-goal deficit in the third. The Red Wings have been red-hot lately, with a record of 19-6-4 since December, and haven’t lost back-to-back games since November.
If all goes well, the Red Wings could be on the cusp of ending their nine-year playoff drought. What’s different about this season is they’re heading into February sitting second in the Atlantic Division.
The Detroit Red Wings have done well enough to be buyers in March, according to Todd McLellan
Todd McLellan has righted the ship this season, and all the Red Wings’ top players have contributed to their success after last season.
Larkin appeared to take Yzerman’s own critiques to heart:
Yzerman responded by calling on “our best players, our leaders” to provide the boost Larkin was looking for elsewhere.
“That’s what they’re paid for and that’s the expectation for them,” Yzerman said.
However, if McLellan believes this is their next step in March? Yzerman should heed his words and add through trades to fortify for April.
“We have done enough to be buyers,” McLellan said, “but it’s never that easy. It’s simple to sit back at home and say, ‘Well, they gotta go get this guy, that guy and that guy.’ The store has to be open, the shopkeeper has to be willing, and he has to have some reasonable prices or nobody’s purchasing anything. It’s no different than any human being going to the mall or to a (dealership). You’re not going to overpay three times the amount of what that car or item might be worth.”
The Red Wings have two positions that could be filled in the top four in the defense ranks on the right side and top-six in the forward core. They’ll need more scoring depth when the time comes in April.
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Detroit Red Wings’ Todd McLellan reveals Steve Yzerman’s trade deadline plans
Do you believe head coach Todd McLellan of the Detroit Red Wings has revealed general manager Steve Yzerman’s trade deadline plans?