Before the regular season started, the objective seemed clear for Steve Yzerman, which was to build their team through their draft picks, develop them at a high level, and to give their prospects the opportunity to succeed at all costs. But at some point, their need to solidify a playoff spot took priority and the original game plan was left idle.
Sources are criticizing general manager Steve Yzerman's poor decision making throughout the course of the seaon, and seems to believe that Yzerman never should have abandoned his original strategy, which was to give their prospects the opportunity they needed in the NHL.
"Realistically, the Detroit Red Wings shouldn't have been in the conversation of the playoffs this season. Chasing it? Absolutely. At the cost of developing players? Absolutely not. When the Detroit Red Wings, including Steve Yzerman, decided playoffs were more important than their prospects, the fate of the season was sealed. Choosing to play "defensively responsible" players who provided no hope of development over players who had their fair share of flaws, but had room to adjust to the NHL and grow was a cowardly choice."
