Latest news with #Yzerman
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three Potential Paths Forward For Former Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan's days with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended last week. Now, Shanahan has to plot out his next career move. But when you think about Shanahan's trajectory from NHL star to NHL executive to Maple Leafs president, it's clear his work ethic has never left him. So, what's next for Shanahan after Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment decided not to renew his contract? Let's examine three potential paths ahead for him. After Shanahan's Hockey Hall of Fame playing career ended in October 2009, he went to work on his off-ice career, joining the NHL about a month later as the league's vice-president of hockey and business development. A year-and-a-half later, he moved on to become the league's senior vice-president, working on supplemental discipline for NHLers and becoming the face of the player safety department. Less than three years after that, Shanahan took on the job of running the Leafs, which he did for the next 11 years. All of which is to say Shanahan could be looking at a prolonged vacation for the first time in his adult life. Maybe that's what's best for him to recharge his batteries and wait for the ideal work situation to present itself before he chooses to get back on the horse and ride in a new role. Shanahan doesn't need to shoehorn himself into any one situation, which is why nothing came of the New York Islanders' rumored interest in him. Ultimately, who wouldn't want to spend more time with their family? Shanahan now has that option for himself for the foreseeable future. Some have speculated that Shanahan will want to get back to work as quickly as possible, and who knows – taking on the job of a retooling team like the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres might be a good fit for him. But we see Shanahan as waiting for a different team that could be seeking a new executive to oversee things. One team in particular could offer him the chance to reunite with an old friend and former teammate. We're talking, of course, about the Detroit Red Wings, which haven't made the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine seasons. If there's one thing Shanahan has shown he can do in Toronto, it's getting a team back into the post-season with a strong core. Under Shanahan, the Maple Leafs drafted and developed Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, and they signed John Tavares in 2018. The team also had six seasons of at least 100 points, including in 2017-18, its first 100-point campaign since 2003-04. The Red Wings, meanwhile, haven't reached 100 points since 2014-15. If he did join the Red Wings, Shanahan would likely be working once again with current Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Hiring Shanahan to oversee things in the Motor City would work for Detroit's ownership, which benefited from Shanahan's expertise as a player. Perhaps there's a setup where Yzerman could be bumped higher in the Red Wings' management echelon – the way fellow legend Joe Sakic was elevated with the Colorado Avalanche – and Shanahan and Yzerman could wind up collaborating on key roster decisions for the Wings. The Red Wings aren't at the bare-bones stage of their development, so Shanahan may see Detroit as the team that will offer him the best option to step back into the fray and push a team into the post-season sooner rather than later. That may heighten the Red Wings' Atlantic Division rivalry with the Maple Leafs. Thus, the Wings make a lot of sense for Shanahan as his next management destination. Brendan Shanahan, The Leafs' President, Lacked Brendan Shanahan, The Player When Brendan Shanahan was hired as the Toronto Maple Leafs president in 2014, and for the first couple of years after that, there was more optimism around this organization than there had been in decades. And for good reason. Shanahan has had a terrific relationship with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for decades now. Having the opportunity to work once again at the NHL's head office in New York City would also work for Shanahan as a longtime resident of Manhattan and someone who understands what it is to be part of the sports scene in the New York City area. To be sure, working for another team is probably what best suits Shanahan's competitive desire. But unless there's an ideal situation with a team that checks all the boxes for him, going back to the league as a higher-up right away wouldn't be seen as a step down for him. To the contrary – Shanahan's notable impact with the 'Shanahan Summit' demonstrated he can do something meaningful for the game he loves. If that means not running a team until such time as a perfect situation for him arises with a different franchise, Shanahan would be welcomed with open arms by Bettman & Co. If he wants to get back to work right away, the league has demonstrated it will find a role that he's happy with. And after one or two years working for the league once again, the hockey landscape could look much different for Shanahan – and it could offer him a perfect fit eventually. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Steve Yzerman hints at parting ways with Vladimir Tarasenko and Erik Gustafsson in major roster shakeup
Getty Images Something's finally cracking in Hockeytown. After nearly a decade without a playoff appearance, the Detroit Red Wings might be done with holding onto names and nostalgia. With GM Steve Yzerman reportedly ready to move on from veterans Vladimir Tarasenko and Erik Gustafsson , the team looks poised to break the cycle of 'almost.' It's not just about clearing cap space, it's about clearing a path. If this offseason delivers on the rumors, Detroit may finally be trading in the past for a shot at a future. Red Wings rumored to cut veterans as Steve Yzerman eyes future-focused rebuild For years, the Red Wings' rebuild has felt stuck in limbo. Big names like Tarasenko were brought in as hopeful band-aids, guys with experience and star power but not necessarily long-term upside. But now, with reports from Detroit Hockey Now hinting at possible buyouts of Tarasenko and Gustafsson, Yzerman's strategy may be shifting for good. No more half-measures, Detroit could finally be ready to prioritize youth, chemistry, and energy over aging firepower. Cutting Vladimir Tarasenko and Erik Gustafsson would open doors not just cap space Tarasenko didn't exactly live up to the hype in Detroit. Eleven goals and 33 points across 80 games is far from what fans hoped for from a Stanley Cup champ. Even Yzerman admitted the numbers were disappointing, though he believed Tarasenko's overall play was 'better than his production.' Still, freeing up his contract along with Gustafsson's would give Detroit more than $20 million to reshape the roster. That's not just money, that's a clean slate. While Gustafsson brought steady defense and mobility, his name in the buyout mix shows that even reliable veterans aren't safe if they don't fit the future vision. Yzerman himself said they 'missed him' when he was out but that might not be enough to justify a spot when younger, faster players are waiting. For Detroit, it may be time to stop plugging holes and start building a new core around emerging talent. Kane's still got it but he's not the franchise player he once was. With Detroit reportedly eyeing big-name reinforcements and Kane's own future uncertain, it's clear the Red Wings see him more as a veteran leader than a long-term solution. The rumors of targeting a Maple Leafs star suggest Yzerman is ready to build around younger, prime-year talent, not just aging stars with rings. If Detroit moves on from Tarasenko and Gustafsson, it's not just about better stats next season. It's a philosophical shift, proof that Yzerman's patience has limits and his focus is firmly on the next generation. After years of dancing on the edge of contention, the Red Wings might finally be making moves that mean something. Also read - NHL playoff predictions: Can the Toronto Maple Leafs finally break the curse while Carolina Hurricanes aim to shut down the Washington Capitals?
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What Steve Yzerman's season-ending comments revealed about Red Wings' offseason plans
DETROIT — Since Steve Yzerman became the general manager of the Red Wings six years ago, in April 2019, seldom has he opened a news conference with a prepared statement. But Tuesday, conducting his end-of-season media availability, that's exactly what he did. For five minutes, before a question had been asked, Yzerman addressed the scrutiny of his quiet trade deadline, declared his willingness to use draft picks, prospects and 'any player' in a trade to make the Red Wings better, and then spoke to the fans directly, saying he understood the 'demand and the want for success here.' Advertisement Between that statement and the 47 minutes of questions that followed, here's what his season-ending comments revealed, and what they say about the hugely important offseason ahead. This was one of the most anticipated topics for the news conference, after Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said at his year-end news conference that the lack of trade deadline moves might have affected players during the stretch run. 'It was hard that we didn't do anything,' Larkin said. 'And then I felt the group kind of — we didn't gain any momentum from the trade deadline and guys were kind of down about it. It'd be nice to add something and bring a little bit of a spark on the ice, and maybe a morale boost as well.' Yzerman, before being asked about the comments, offered up that he was 'very comfortable' — albeit not necessarily happy, either — with not parting with top prospects or first-round picks at that time of year. He said they had hoped to try to improve the team then, but 'there were no good options.' He also noted that the team is 'prepared' to use premium assets to get better, and referenced having done so in the 2023 Alex DeBrincat deal. 'We're prepared to use our draft picks, we're prepared to use our prospects, we're prepared to use any player, for that matter, in a trade that makes us better and helps us in our timeline to get better,' he said, 'and ultimately be a team that not only make the playoffs but compete for a Stanley Cup.' And then he took it a step further. 'I would point out two teams, in Montreal and St. Louis, who at the trade deadline were sitting outside of a playoff spot. Neither team did anything,' Yzerman said. 'They both ended up making the playoffs, and are playing very well at this time, led by their best players.' Advertisement Yzerman said soon after that Larkin's comments were not what prompted him to go out of his way to discuss the deadline — 'Not really, no, I mean it's been talked about since the trade deadline,' he said — but that last line in particular, about Montreal and St. Louis making the playoffs 'led by their best players,' certainly seemed pointed. Larkin, of course, had a quiet March by his usual standards, with four goals and nine points in 14 games. And when asked later about Larkin's comments and the team's morale, Yzerman added, 'I'm counting on our best players, our leaders, to give us a bit of a morale boost. That's what they're paid for, and that's the expectation from them.' So though Yzerman said he didn't have Larkin in mind when including so much about the deadline in his opening remarks, it seems fair to say Larkin hit a nerve with his general manager. Yzerman said he's spoken to Larkin about his comments, but declined to elaborate on that conversation. After his comments about being willing to use picks, prospects and players to make the team better, Yzerman was asked whether the franchise was prepared to 'go north of 10 (million) or 11 million' for a player who could dramatically alter the team. His answer? 'Absolutely.' There was more nuance, though. 'We've kind of felt that all along, we're going to look at any good player — any player that can help us in any role — if there's a player worthy of spending whatever amount on, that has an interest in playing in Detroit and fits a need for us, absolutely we would try to do that,' Yzerman said. 'We're in a different stage than we were maybe five years ago in that we have a good young nucleus of players. And if we can add to that with a prominent free agent, we'd certainly entertain that.' Advertisement The clearest insight Yzerman gave into what he'll be looking for this offseason might have come in response to a question about his team's struggles in March and how he wants to address them. He started out talking about needing more depth on the team, which was heavily reliant on the power play for offense. 'We didn't get enough offense from, say, our bottom-six group, but we also didn't get enough five-on-five scoring from our top six,' Yzerman said. 'So, how do we address that? Try to get better players. Try to make our players better. And demand that our players that are here, that are under contract, that we have high expectations for, they be better.' Of course, everyone wants good players, and good players come in different varieties. 'This team in particular, I think I'd like us to be bigger — although, I shouldn't say bigger, harder,' he said. 'Because we are pretty big actually. And I think we can demand that out of our own players, but also bring in maybe a different mix.' The 2025 unrestricted free-agent crop is not loaded, but there are a handful of players at the top of the class that could apply to. The biggest name, by far, is the Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner, a 100-point winger who plays on both special teams. Players of Marner's caliber don't reach free agency often (time will tell whether Marner even makes it to market), and accordingly, he would cost north of $12 million. But he would be a bona fide impact player at the top of the lineup. Beyond him, there is the Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett, a physical center whose career high is 51 points, but who consistently raises his production in the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche's Brock Nelson is likewise a proven playoff performer with more size than Detroit has up front. Another Panther, Brad Marchand, is a smaller body on the wing but plays with unquestioned edge and is still a productive player as he nears age 37. There are other notable names worth considering, too, such as the Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser and the Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers. Advertisement And on defense, there is Los Angeles' Vladislav Gavrikov, a 6-foot-3 left-shot who played for Red Wings coach Todd McLellan with the Kings, and who had arguably the best underlying defensive numbers in the NHL this season. Yzerman also made clear he was 'certainly open to trade, for sure' as a means of acquiring players. But for those hoping he will go the offer-sheet route, don't get your hopes up. Yzerman said he had 'never really ever considered one (before), because usually you never get a player,' adding that you can end up 'overpaying' that way. After St. Louis successfully pulled off two last year, landing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, there is a notion that the approach could become more common. Yzerman noted, though, that with the salary cap going up, there may be fewer teams in vulnerable spots that make them susceptible to offer sheets. 'Is it something to consider? Yeah,' Yzerman said. 'Do I see us doing it? Probably not.' One of the main criticisms of Yzerman's tenure in Detroit thus far has come via the team's approach in free agency, where some of the veterans the Red Wings have brought in on longer-term deals have struggled to live up to their contracts. Often, that has been placed at the feet of the pro scouting department, which over the past few years has lost key figures in Mark Howe and Pat Verbeek. Yzerman called the team's free agency 'a bit of a mixed bag,' and noted that 'a lot of our shorter-term signings have been very good.' And that's true, as players such as David Perron, Olli Määttä and Shayne Gostisbehere made real impacts for the Red Wings before moving on. Yzerman even quipped, 'Looking back, some of them I wouldn't mind having here now.' But that mixed bag also includes some big misses. Vladimir Tarasenko signed a two-year deal with a $4.75 million AAV last offseason and significantly underperformed. Defenseman Justin Holl signed a three-year deal at a $3.4 million AAV two summers ago and has struggled to live up to it. Detroit probably wants a bit more than it got from center J.T. Compher this past season, too. Advertisement As for the pro scouting department's role in that, though, Yzerman defended his staff. 'We've got some new faces on it that have come in throughout the last two or three years, and I think very highly of these young men,' Yzerman said. 'And they are kind of a team and they're starting to understand — one, learn the league more — understand what we're trying to do, understand the value of the dollar amount. So I think as a pro scouting staff, we're becoming a better team. We just simply have to walk away from some of these contracts, you know, like on July 1, you get into this whole bidding war, and it's tough.' Yzerman recognized he was talking simultaneously about being willing to go after the big fish in free agency and about being more diligent. That's certainly a fine line to walk, and we'll see how it plays out. But his final thought on the subject was more about the players than the scouts. 'With the free agents that we've signed, like ones that are currently on our team, I expect more out of them,' he said. 'And it's not just goals and assists. It's all-around game.' The main news item to come out of the press conference surrounded Detroit's coaching staff, with McLellan saying the team would move on from goaltending coach Alex Westlund and video coach L.J. Scarpace. Westlund joined the team in 2022, with Derek Lalonde, while Scarpace has been with Detroit since 2019. 'Those are significant roles, those are important people in our organization and those were really good people,' McLellan said. 'I talked about our staff and how they fit in. It's sometimes not a reflection on the job they do, but just something that we needed to do in the coaches' room to stir things up. We need better goaltending, and that's not just on Alex Westlund. That's on the goaltenders, the head coach and everybody else that's involved in it. And as far as the video goes, we'll likely look at promoting from within. That hasn't been confirmed yet, but we also want some growth within the organization when people are capable of accepting more. And as we move forward throughout the summer, we'll fill those two spots.' That would seem to indicate assistant coaches Alex Tanguay and Jay Varady — both holdovers from Lalonde's staff — are expected back next season.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is in Toledo to watch Michigan State take on Cornell
Michigan State hockey is gearing up for their opening round of the NCAA Tournament, where they are set to take on the Cornell Big Red in Toledo. It is no secret that a big part of the success the Spartans are having comes behind the play of goaltender Trey Augustine, a 2023 second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings. Augustine has done so much for Michigan State, and Team USA, that he hopes to continue that trend for his hometown Red Wings one day. The decision maker for the Red Wings, and who has a lot of control on Augustine's future, is Red Wing legend and general manager Steve Yzerman. Yzerman thinks very highly of the Spartan netminder, and has had a close eye on the play of Augustine the past two seasons. Advertisement On Thursday, according to a report from Rachel Hopmayer of CBS Detroit, Yzerman is going to be in attendance, live in Toledo for the Spartans first round matchup with Cornell. This will be a great opportunity for the Spartans in totality to show off their skill to Yzerman, but also a chance for Augustine to talk to and impress the Red Wings GM. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Steve Yzerman to watch Michigan State take on Cornell in Toledo
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is in Toledo to watch Michigan State take on Cornell
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is in Toledo to watch Michigan State take on Cornell Michigan State hockey is gearing up for their opening round of the NCAA Tournament, where they are set to take on the Cornell Big Red in Toledo. It is no secret that a big part of the success the Spartans are having comes behind the play of goaltender Trey Augustine, a 2023 second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings. Augustine has done so much for Michigan State, and Team USA, that he hopes to continue that trend for his hometown Red Wings one day. The decision maker for the Red Wings, and who has a lot of control on Augustine's future, is Red Wing legend and general manager Steve Yzerman. Yzerman thinks very highly of the Spartan netminder, and has had a close eye on the play of Augustine the past two seasons. On Thursday, according to a report from Rachel Hopmayer of CBS Detroit, Yzerman is going to be in attendance, live in Toledo for the Spartans first round matchup with Cornell. This will be a great opportunity for the Spartans in totality to show off their skill to Yzerman, but also a chance for Augustine to talk to and impress the Red Wings GM. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
