It’s fascinating to see how different NHL GMs handle their communication with the media.
I’ve been spoiled in my work covering the Stars, were Jim Nill is very open to communication with the media and makes time for one-on-one interviews, allowing me to write things, like I did this weekend, on the state of the Stars and the Jason Robertson conversation.
In Detroit, Steve Yzerman is the opposite. He rarely speaks to any media entity in a one-on-one setting, and most of his availabilities are via Zoom, not in person, like his training camp pre-season presser on Wednesday.
Yzerman’s pressers are also more moderated, each media member is asked to limit their questions to one on follow-up, which means it becomes a lot of information dumping and topic jumping in the 30-minute session.
It’s how Yzerman operates.
So when we do have these availabilities, even if it’s over Zoom, I think it’s worth going over what we learned and maybe what we didn’t.
It’s about building a Stanley Cup contender, not a playoff team
This isn’t news, we’ve heard Yzerman speak multiple times about how he wants to build a team that competes for the Stanley Cup, not one that simply makes the playoffs.
It’s also hard to ignore the fact that this franchise has now never gone this long without a playoff appearance. Yzerman was asked about that multiple times, about the pressure and where things are, he approached each answer as he typically has — he sees progress, rebuilds take time, and one of his new favorite topics, how he sees things different than the media that only cares about getting into the postseason.
One reporter, particular, has had the same back-and-forth with Yzerman in each of his past three media settings if my notes are correct.
“We know they're are expectations and the hopes for our fan base and for the media as well, but continue with the process and look for opportunities,” Yzerman said. “As I said, to expedite it, whether that's through trade or free agency. But we'll continue with doing what we have to do. And ultimately, my job is to do what's right for the organization, and I will continue to do that.”
Yzerman also spoke about internal growth and the addition of John Gibson, how players like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper will take strides, and how that should help with the long-term goal.
Do young players have any chance of making this roster?
Yzerman gave the boiler plate answer on this, the one where he tells us any player that will make the Red Wings better has a chance of making this team. He also acknowledged the Red Wings have eight defenders on NHL contracts, and didn’t really offer much more about the paths for other younger players.
On Todd McClellan’s first full training camp
There’s a lot more questions for McClellan than Yzerman on this front, but the GM seems pretty happy with how his head coach pushed the team after he fired Derek Lalonde and he believes he has the proper motivator in place.
McClellan and Yzerman are more in lockstep than he and Lalonde were. I’m not sure if that’s a honeymoon period still or the reality, but I can’t help but think about their relationship from the press conference in the spring where McClellan, multiple times, jumped into questions to defend his GM at in-person presser.
On Marco Kasper’s role.
I’m intrigued to see where Kasper plays this season, because personally I think the Red Wings are a better team this season and next if he’s able to establish himself as their No. 2 center behind Dylan Larkin.
Yzerman spoke about Kasper as a top-six player, and while he tried to defer to his coach, he openly spoke about the possibility of Kasper playing with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
Some housekeeping notes
Carter Bear is healthy and ready for training camp after missing the prospect games.
Simon Edvinsson is dealing with a lower-body injury, which should impact him until around opening night.
The Red Wings, at this time, haven’t signed any players to PTOs.
Ok, with that, I’m off to Pittsburgh for the USHL Fall Showcase. We should have more up later this week, and anything you want to talk about, let me know in the comments.
Look forward to hearing about the ushl