Improving team defense in 2022-23 a priority for Yzerman, Lalonde

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- When new Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was introduced this past summer, he was quick to point out that Detroit needed to significantly improve its team defense heading into the 2022-23 season.

Not surprisingly, executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman agrees that tightening up on that side of the puck is an area of emphasis as he continues to build the roster.
"Defensively, we have to cut the goals against down," Yzerman said in a pre-camp Zoom call with the media. "Whether that's through better goaltending or defensive play, hopefully the players that we brought in who play the position improve our team. And collectively, the whole mindset of the team has to change a bit."

Last season, Detroit's 3.78 goals-against average per game ranked 31st in the NHL while its penalty kill of 73.8 percent was 32nd in the league.
But with free-agent defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta, Mark Pysyk and Robert Hagg joining a unit headlined by Moritz Seider, Lalonde wants to establish good habits to improve upon last year's numbers.
"There's nothing more important on a team-first mentality than team defense,"

"I think we're in a unique spot in that it is right there in black and white. We were obviously one of the worst teams in any defensive category in the league last year, so that's a good starting point."
Strong team defense is tied to areas like zone coverage, playing physical and controlling the pace of play.
"A lot of the first couple days of camp, you'll see play without the puck," Lalonde said about training camp in Traverse City. "And improving in some of those areas we struggled last year."

All the while, the Red Wings will continue to play aggressive and opportunistic offensively.
"It's not like we're not going to try and score," Yzerman said. "We're going to do that as well, but there is a certain responsibility for all players when they're on the ice to have in the back of their mind, regardless of where the puck is, to be on the right side of the puck."
Detroit enters this season with increased blue line depth. While returning Red Wings defensemen like Seider, Filip Hronek, Jordan Oesterle, Gustav Lindstrom and Jake Walman figure to play key roles, several prospects will look to prove they belong in the NHL.

"With the two injuries on our blue line, with Mark and Jake out to start the season, it gives opportunity for other guys to play and maybe grab a spot," Yzerman said. "Once everybody is healthy, it's a great problem to have."
Yzerman pointed to Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson and Eemil Viro as defensemen whose play could create some interesting roster decisions to start the season.
"We got a lot of D, a lot of young guys," Yzerman said. "If they're ready to play and ultimately, better than some of the veterans, we might have to make a decision. We'll let that play itself out, but I'm encouraged we have some young guys that are going to push not only in Grand Rapids, but push in Detroit."