Steve Yzerman explains logic behind re-acquisition of Petr Mrazek
Photo credit: Detroit Free Press
Goaltender Petr Mrazek is on his way back to the Red Wings along with forward Craig Smith; GM Steve Yzerman explained his reasoning for the moves.
The 2025 Trade Deadline has come and gone, and for the 1st time in recent memory, the Detroit Red Wings added a pair of players.
Former Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek is on his way back to Detroit from the Chicago Blackhawks along with veteran forward Craig Smith; in return, the Red Wings sent Joe Veleno to Chicago.
Neither move is of serious consequence considering Smith's status as a 4th liner along with Mrazek's struggles.
As As general manager Steve Yzerman explained during a Zoom news conference, he doesn't think the time is right to be trading top Draft selections or prospects in exchange for a rental player.
The type of deal that was available is the pending unrestricted free agents and we didn't even get into that. Where we're at, to get into that rental thing, giving up our first-round picks and our top prospects, that's not the thing to do right now.
I want to make the playoffs, and I want to win a Stanley cup as much as anybody, and I take full responsibility for where we're at today. I'm going to make the best decisions that I can for us, short-term and long-term.
I want to make the playoffs, and I want to win a Stanley cup as much as anybody, and I take full responsibility for where we're at today. I'm going to make the best decisions that I can for us, short-term and long-term.
He continued by saying while he understands that the moves weren't "earth-shattering", he feels they can help in the short term.
We did what we thought we could to help give us a better chance at the playoffs. Is it earth-shattering? No. But the only way we could do something earth-shattering is to give up first-round picks and our best young players and prospects. And I think everybody would agree that just to try and hope for us to get in (the playoffs) isn't the time to do that.
We're prepared to use our picks and prospects, but it's got to be for players that we really like that are going to be a part of this thing for future years and beyond.
We're prepared to use our picks and prospects, but it's got to be for players that we really like that are going to be a part of this thing for future years and beyond.
The Red Wings now have 3 goalies on their roster in Mrazek, Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon.
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