I can count to a million (and higher) in three different languages (English, Finnish, and Estonian, in case you're wondering), but I'll say this: I couldn't tell you how many times I've vented about the Detroit Red Wings falling short this offseason.
And I know, I know, the Yzerplan is still alive and well for at least another season. I get it, and for the sake of fans who root for a team located in a city called Hockeytown, I'd like nothing more than for it to work. Especially with a franchise that boasts so much history, success, and contributiions to the NHL, few deserve it more than the Wings.
But maybe I was wrong. Maybe Steve Yzerman did a better job this offseason than me and many of you thought. Because Adam Proteau of The Hockey News wrote a piece claiming the Wings ranked 11th in the NHL in their "Summer Splash" rankings.
Still, don't let that ranking fool you. Proteau wrote, "Let’s be clear – the Red Wings are where they are in our summer splash rankings primarily because of the Gibson move. Goaltending had been an issue in Detroit for a long time, and Yzerman finally found the big fish in net that he and Wings fans have been aching for.
"However, when you look at the big picture in the Atlantic, the Red Wings are still going to face a hellacious battle just to land a wild card playoff berth, let alone contend for a top-three spot in the division. Yzerman didn’t do much to address his team’s defense corps, and at forward, Yzerman is still banking on a group of young players rising and justifying Yzerman’s belief in them."
Yeah, acquiring John Gibson was a massive win for the Detroit Red Wings
Honestly, if we were relegated to watching an aging Cam Talbot team up with Petr Mrazek, fans would've been chanting for Sebastian Cossa by November 1st. This is assuming Cossa exorcises his late-season demons and takes another step forward in Grand Rapids.
But giving Cossa another year to just show that he can be the AHL's best goaltender alongside Sabres prospect Devon Levi is the more ideal situation, and bringing in Gibson helps the cause. Yeah, injuries are a concern here with Gibson, but Talbot's still good enough to step in a "time share" that should see both netminders in the crease 35-plus times in 2025-26.
It makes the crease deeper, too, when you look at it from an organizational standpoint. But it's not the only sigh of relief Wings fans should be heaving this year.
The Red Wings other major signings weren't half-bad, and they at least serve a purpose
Right now, there's no way I can rank anyone in the Atlantic behind the Red Wings other than the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, two teams who look destined to compete for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes as opposed to building a winner.
Still, heading into 2025-26, the so-called "meh" additions Steve Yzerman made came with a much-needed boost to the penalty kill, something forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton will bring. And that's an underrated, but badly-needed upgrade.
No, not underrated from any Red Wings fan's point of view, considering that they witnessed it first-hand every time they watched their favorite team play last season. I mean, the unit was a complete embarrassment and needed an overhaul to the point that even the average fan who started following the Wings last October would've figured that out.
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