Steve Yzerman talks optimism, roster competition on eve of training camp

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- With a new head coach in Derek Lalonde, several talented free-agent additions and a promising young core, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings.

And while Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman shares in that enthusiasm, he remains "cautiously optimistic" about the club's potential heading into
training camp, which begins Thursday
.
"I believe we'll be a better hockey team this year, I expect us to be," Yzerman said in a pre-camp Zoom call with the media on Wednesday. "Having said that, it can take some time for things to settle in, for everyone to get familiar with one another, for the coaches to get to know the players and how to best utilize them."

When assessing what the Red Wings' lineup might look like this season, Yzerman said a lot will be determined by players trying to earn, keep or find their place.
"It's important they recognize there's competition not only for jobs, but for ice time," Yzerman said. "I believe that competition is really healthy and it's going to push guys to perform. I believe good athletes, mentally strong guys, really enjoy that challenge.
"Some of the players have to recognize, 'I got to perform. I might lose my spot on this line. I might lose my spot in the lineup.' We got some depth at a lot of positions now. Hopefully, that translates to us being a better team as well."
Last year, defenseman Mortiz Seider and forward Lucas Raymond both impressed throughout camp and preseason action, eventually making Detroit's Opening Night roster and going on to establish themselves as two of the NHL's brightest young stars.

And Yzerman was clear that prospects like defensemen Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johannson and Eemil Viro, as well as forwards Jonatan Berggren and Elmer Soderblom, will have opportunities to prove they can play at the NHL level.
"I'm encouraged to see younger players moving into the lineup and playing bigger roles," Yzerman said. "We saw it last year, and hope and expect to see one or two more this year continue on with that."
Regardless of who makes the 2022-23 Opening Night roster, Yzerman expects all players to contribute to the club's mission this season and beyond.
"It starts with character and building a team where guys are buying into the program," Yzerman said. "And learning to be a part of it and willing to put the team first. Then it moves into the work ethic, on and off the ice, and a commitment to the team."

Yzerman also provided updates on several players who will not be participating in this year's camp.
Newly signed center Andrew Copp underwent abdominal surgery this offseason and is expected to be sidelined until the first week of the regular season.
"I don't anticipate him participating in the preseason games," Yzerman said about Copp. "But I expect him to be ready to go roughly a week, if not sooner, into the regular season."
Yzerman added that forward Robby Fabbri, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL against the Minnesota Wild on March 10, and defenseman Mark Pysyk, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles, are both expected to return sometime after the new year.
As for Jake Walman, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, Yzerman anticipates the defenseman to be ready in mid-November, while center Chase Pearson is out indefinitely due to personal reasons.

Yzerman is approaching the injuries as an "opportunity for other guys to play."
"I'm encouraged that we have some young guys who will not only push in Grand Rapids, but who will push in Detroit," Yzerman said. "With those couple of injuries, it gives guys a great chance to grab a spot."
While the Red Wings are returning talented players like captain Dylan Larkin and forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana, nothing will be handed to the club in a competitive Atlantic Division.

"Our division is interesting," Yzerman said. "You have the good teams at the top and the rebuilding teams starting to move their young players in. We're in a tough division and we look to improve, remain competitive with these teams and it's not going to be easy."
Yzerman, who's entering his third year as Red Wings GM, said he wants to see Detroit continue developing its identity as a tough team to compete against.
"If our team can be a harder team to play against and be more competitive in games, that's improvement for us," Yzerman said. "That's advancing for us."