5 Takeaways from Steve Yzerman’s Pre-Coaching Camp Availability

Red Wings basic supervisor Steve Yzerman spoke to the media Tuesday, following his signing of extensions for Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren, and forward of Detroit Crimson Wings coaching camp in Traverse Metropolis.

Listed below are 5 massive takeaways from his interview, starting from Lucas Raymond’s ceiling, the way forward for Traverse Metropolis prospect video games and the roster spots accessible for a lot of younger forwards.

Lucas Raymond May Proceed to Develop

Yzerman’s affected person negotiations precipitated numerous nervousness amongst Crimson Wings followers, however there needs to be none about the way forward for Raymond’s contract. His eight-year, $8.075 million AAV contract is extremely inexpensive in comparison with his friends. And if he continues to develop, it could possibly be much more priceless.

“I believe he is simply coming into the early phases of his prime,” Yzerman stated. “I totally count on him to change into a greater hockey participant for a few causes. I believe he is extraordinarily pushed, (an) extraordinarily shiny participant and his motivation and whatnot. He’ll simply proceed to get higher over the following few years.”

Raymond led Detroit in scoring final season with 72 factors, together with 18 scored within the ultimate 20 video games of the season. The hope is that by constantly tapping into that top degree of play that he confirmed late within the season, he can proceed to defy expectations as a scorer.

“You may by no means assure how manufacturing goes, however I count on him to be one among our prime gamers once more,” Yzerman stated. “I count on his recreation to proceed to develop this yr. However yeah, final yr, clearly it helped this case quite a bit. While you’re speaking numbers, he had I believe 13 objectives within the final 20 video games. He actually helped his trigger, and we had been thrilled to see him play that nicely.”

Yzerman additionally shared an update on negotiations with Moritz Seider, saying “I do not assume we’re terribly far aside.”

Traverse Metropolis Future is “Up within the Air”

At one time, as many as eight groups performed within the Crimson Wings-hosted NHL Prospects Match in Traverse Metropolis. However when you watched it over the weekend, you most likely observed that there are solely two now — Detroit and the Dallas Stars. The way forward for the match — when you can nonetheless name it that — is unsure.

“The match clearly seems to have run its course,” Yzerman stated. “A number of that, during the last three or 4 years, we have gone from eight (groups) down to 2 for various causes. Groups wished to do various things. Some did not need to play 4 video games. Some wished to save lots of the expense and never should journey to Traverse Metropolis. They’re in a position to do various things.”

What does the trail ahead appear to be? Yzerman stated there is perhaps curiosity in a 3rd recreation, and he and Nill talked about including a 3rd workforce to the combo. He additionally stated {that a} future recreation in Dallas is perhaps on the radar, too. All that is to say, there are numerous concepts for how one can method the way forward for a dying match, however the actual steps aren’t outlined. So far as a timeline goes, Yzerman stated he’ll reevaluate the scenario after coaching camp.

Why Jonatan Berggren Signed for 1 Yr

Hours earlier than asserting the Lucas Raymond extension, Detroit took care of one among its three unsigned RFAs by inking Jonatan Berggren to a one-year, $825,000 contract. After spending final season within the AHL following his rookie NHL marketing campaign in 2022-23, Berggren’s contract displays his unsure standing. It’s a prove-it deal, as a lot for the participant as for the workforce.

“We talked about one or two years,” Yzerman stated. “Finally, with one participant remaining unsigned, understanding what the wage cap is, we most likely weren’t ready right now to do a two yr deal. So, each events are comfy with a one yr deal. And if Jonatan goes out and has a stable season, he is in an excellent spot to renegotiate after one yr.”

So, it figures that Berggren signed for one yr not simply because it was his solely choice, however as a result of it provides him the chance to earn more cash afterward. If he had been to signal a two-year deal, he may simply outperform such an affordable wage if he thrived this season. As an alternative, he will get to go to the negotiating desk subsequent offseason with extra information to help his contract calls for.

“It is As much as Him”: Albert Johansson Can be on Roster, However Taking part in Time not Assured

As a result of he’s not waiver-exempt, Albert Johansson can be on the NHL degree this season. However that doesn’t imply he’s going to play NHL video games. He has to earn these.

“This yr, he’ll be on our workforce, and it is as much as him to form of push and earn a spot within the lineup,” Yzerman stated. “It may be a problem. We presently have 7 D underneath contract, and hoping to have eight (with the signing of Moritz Seider) clearly, very quickly. If everyone’s wholesome, there’s some actual competitors for a job. However I believe his skating skill, his competitiveness, actually are his strengths, and if he simply does the identical factor he did on the American League degree.”

On the AHL degree, Johansson was one among Grand Rapids’ most reliable two-way defenseman. Whereas the star energy of Simon Edvinsson took up numerous air, Johansson anchored a second pairing that helped the Griffins win numerous video games. Teammates described Johansson as “hiding out down right here,”

Now, there’s no hiding on the NHL degree. Simply how a lot Johansson can contribute can be extra obvious in coaching camp, however what isn’t in query is the uphill climb he’ll should get within the lineup.

Damage Replace: Becher Out, Buium Day-to-Day, Husso Wholesome

Yzerman shared an harm replace heading into coaching camp, and for essentially the most half, the group is wholesome.

Ahead Ondrej Becher, Detroit’s third spherical decide within the 2024 draft, is out with a sprained ankle he sustained throughout his summer season coaching. This harm stored Becher out of the prospect video games towards Dallas over the weekend.

Defenseman Shai Buium is day-to-day with an unspecified harm he suffered late in Sunday’s prospect recreation. In that recreation, he blocked a shot that appeared to go off his ankle, inflicting him to limp off the ice in evident ache. Yzerman stated there may be extra testing to do to verify his standing.

Lastly, Yzerman maintained that goaltender Ville Husso is wholesome. The goaltender missed most of final season with a number of decrease physique accidents. Yzerman was intentional to level out that Husso hasn’t performed in an actual recreation for a while — Feb. 13, to be actual. However merely being wholesome is a giant step ahead for Husso as he enters this season trying to reassert himself within the goalie room.

Additionally from THN Detroit

Yzerman on Seider Negotiations: “We Continue to Talk”

How Lucas Raymond’s Contract Compares to Other Young NHL Stars

Red Wings, Raymond Agree to Max-Term Extension

Breaking Down the Red Wings’ Organizational Goalie Depth ahead of Training Camp

Berggren, Red Wings Agree to 1-year Deal

Report: Larkin AAV May Provide “Internal Cap” on Raymond, Seider Contracts

6 More Takeaways from Day 2 of Red Wings Prospect Games

6 Takeaways from Day 1 of the Red Wings’ Prospect Games