Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Daily: Flyers’ Follies Make the “Yzerplan” Look Ever Better

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2022

Nate Brown

While Detroit Red Wings fans are likely still buzzing after the moves general manager Steve Yzerman made Wednesday, there’s another fan base seething at what wasn’t done.

It should serve as a reminder of just how far–and how fortunate–Red Wings fans are the captain did indeed come home.

Philly Hockey Now’s Sam Carchidi writes about the struggles of Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher this offseason. Fletcher’s inability to offer Johnny Gaudreau a contract because he didn’t clear other ones out is one major misstep for the veteran manager.

But Carchidi writes that either Fletcher is so poor at his job that he’s failed to improve again, or he’s inevitably a “genius” in tanking.

After all, he’s giving the Flyers a great chance to land Connor Bedard in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Carchidi notes this and a plethora of playing time for young prospects may work in Fletcher’s favor yet.

Meanwhile in Detroit, Red Wings fans need not worry about what their GM is doing.

It’s all part of the (Yzer)plan.

Yzerman Has Been Forthright from Day One

Yzerman made it clear that he would need time and that he was tearing things down to rebuild on a new foundation. This has been chronicled often since he took the job in 2019.

While he’s never one to tip his hand, he’s been transparent about his intentions.

It’s something Flyers fans could only hope for. They may get some breaks if, as Carchidi writes, things fall the right way. But many Red Wings would warn Flyers fans about putting faith in the draft lottery. Tanking doesn’t always equal the #1 pick.

For all the slippage in spots, the Red Wings manager answered by taking Moritz Seider, (6th) and Lucas Raymond (4th). Detroit didn’t fall in the last two drafts, but he sure looks like he’s hit on Simon Edvinsson, too.

Yzerman will be questioned at times–which is perfectly normal and healthy. But it’s clear as day as to what his objectives are.

Fletcher’s apparently remain to be seen.