Steve Yzerman (Image Via Twitter) The Detroit Red Wings enter the upcoming season still searching for their long-awaited return to the postseason. It has been nearly a decade since Detroit reached the playoffs, and even longer since 2013, when they last won in a playoff round. The Athletic had recently awarded an NHL insider, James Mirtle, who dealt with a fan’s question about the possibility of the Red Wings being a prime free-agent destination and whether the Steve Yzerman long-term rebuild is on or off track.
James Mirtle on Detroit Red Wings as a free agent magnet
James Mirtle said that in response to the question regarding Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings wanted to sign some of the top potential UFAs this summer, but many of them didn’t even reach the market. He especially mentioned that “Aaron Ekblad, in particular, could have signed for a much thicker average annual value in Michigan than the $6.1 million he took with Florida.”Put simply, Detroit is no Vegas or Dallas; yet, many players count on its history, its amenities, and its geographic location. “Patrick Kane certainly likes it there, for example,” added Mirtle.
Why the Red Wings still cannot land top-tier talent
According to Mirtle, there is one big thing-problems with competitiveness. Because the team had not been successful lately, they ended up paying extra money for players who do not offer much talent in free agency.“The no-state-tax factor has been talked to death, but the other thing in common between a lot of the teams that most players want to go to (or stay with) is that they win a lot of games.” Until Detroit starts winning consistently, it may be hard to attract numbers. Just the prospect of signing a big-name player will excite the fan base, but, says Mirtle, the Red Wings “are not realistically an Ekblad away from contention anyway.” Patience will have to be the watchword while the younger players age themselves and their competition in the Atlantic Division ages out.
A Pivotal Year for the Yzerplan
The rebuilding beginning with Steve Yzerman in 2019 has so far avoided the dreaded “mushy middle” in the NHL, but Mirtle stressed that this was “a huge year for them to show more tangible progress and take the next step.” A wild-card berth could be possible, especially with in-season cap flexibility.Also Read: Meredith Gaudreau and Madeline Gaudreau launch John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation on Good Morning AmericaThe Red Wings’ road to prominence might require resisting quick fixes and focusing on sustained development. As highlighted by James Mirtle, on-ice success will certainly dictate whether Detroit becomes a genuine free-agent destination — and whether the Yzerplan works.