Yzerman sees Detroit 'moving in the right direction' as organization

DETROIT -- Competing in the present while building for the future is a balancing act that Detroit Red Wings executive vice president and general Steve Yzerman must maintain every day.

And while speaking to the media during his annual post NHL Trade Deadline availability session, Yzerman said he has already seen enough positives this season to believe the Red Wings are heading in the right direction.
"Overall, I think it's been a positive season to date," Yzerman said on March 3. "Our younger players have continued, for the most part, to develop. The veteran players have provided the leadership and experience on the ice that we were hoping they would. I think our team has improved in general. I believe we're going in the right direction.
"We can all debate: is it at the speed? Are we ahead? Are we behind? Wish it was faster? I'm not going to debate it. I believe we're moving in the right direction."

Yzerman said first-year NHL head coach Derek Lalonde has been a positive influence.
"I think the players are enjoying the challenge, the coaching and the instruction they are receiving," Yzerman said. "I've enjoyed working with him. He's pretty honest when you talk to him. Whether I agree with him or not, he lets me know what he's thinking. He's a good guy to talk to and I think our players appreciate his approach."
The growth of Detroit's young core under Lalonde is another encouraging sign for Yzerman, who hopes more Red Wings prospects will prove they are NHL-ready next season.
"Of the young players in Grand Rapids, I'm hoping one or two push for a position with the Red Wings next year," Yzerman said. "Currently Elmer (Soderblom) is down there right now."
Soderblom, who made the Red Wings' 2022-23 Opening Night roster, has five goals and three assists in 21 games with Detroit this season, including a four-game point streak from Dec. 21-31. Since being assigned to the Griffins on Jan. 8, the 6-foot-8, 246-pound forward has eight points (5-3-8) in 17 American Hockey League games.

Yzerman also discussed the progression of Simon Edvinsson, who was the Red Wings' sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman currently has five goals and 20 assists in 46 games with Grand Rapids this season.
For Edvinsson to get a taste of the NHL this season, according to Yzerman, is entirely "dependent on his play."
"I know Simon is a high pick and there is a lot of attention on him," Yzerman said. "There are other guys down there who are playing pretty well that you might see here too. Whether they are gonna help us, whether it's at a necessity or if we wanna see where they fit for next year, it's not just about Simon."
Albert Johansson is another Swedish blue line prospect who is making strides while adjusting to the North American-sized ice sheet this season. Through 53 games with the Griffins, Johansson has five goals and 10 assists.
"We've got another group turning pro this summer," Yzerman said. "We'll move them into Grand Rapids or they'll stay in Europe. Just over the course of each season, add one or two more players into our roster and slowly build a really strong nucleus."

Yzerman has high hopes for forward Marco Kasper, selected No. 8 overall by Detroit in 2022 after recording 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 46 games last season with Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League.
"We'll keep all options open," Yzerman said about Kasper, who has 22 points in 50 games with Rogle BK this season. "He's had a good season in Sweden. I'm not sure what will happen or if he will go to the World Championship for Austria. Certainly, when the season is over and in the summer, we'll talk about a plan for next year as far as training camp and whatnot. There is a possibility that he plays here, but we'll determine what our plan is in the summer."

And like Kasper, Yzerman said patience is key when analyzing the development of goalie Sebastian Cossa, who is currently manning the crease for the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.
Since Feb. 8, Cossa is 7-0-0 with a 0.86 goals-against average, .969 save percentage and three shutouts. The 20-year-old netminder has allowed one goal or less in each of his last six starts.
"He's trending in the right direction," Yzerman said about Cossa, who was Detroit's 15th overall pick in 2021. "The most important thing was we want him playing a lot. We want him playing in a league where he's being challenged - where it's not too hard and not too easy. He's getting a lot of starts on a very good team in Toledo, a very good organization. The one good thing I really like is he's got a work ethic. He understands why he's there and working to get better."