The first order of business for the Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman replacement, no matter who it is, will be to make a decision about the Dylan Larkin problem.
There is no right decision. None of his options are all that desirable. The new boss has to persuade Larkin to rescind his trade request, or tell him to report to training camp, or trade him to a destination that he accepts.
Each of those options has the potential to leave the team worse off than they were last season.
But beyond deciding Larkin’s fate, the new leader can make some alterations that can improve the organization:
1. Get in Step with the NHL’s New Salary Structure
The offer sheet to Leo Carlsson, the Quinn Hughes trade, the Tkachuk brothers orchestration of playing together and Larkin’s trade request makes it clear that top players now have more power in determining their future. The best GMs will be those with the best reputation for being fair with players. The new Red Wings boss has a create an image that Detroit is a desirable destination.
That requires both a winning team and a charismatic leader.
2. A Different Plan to Infuse Prospects
Defenseman William Wallinder is no longer waiver exempt and he’s coming to training camp with no NHL experience. Antti Tourmisto signed with Las Vegas without getting an NHL shot from Detroit. Eduards Tralmaks didn’t get an NHL game and he signed with Edmonton.
You hear other general managers talk about opening roster spots for their younger players. But the Red Wings have been conservative when it comes to development of young players. They want to know their youngsters are ready before promoting them.
But that’s no longer the way it’s done in the NHL.
3. A Goaltending Ascension Plan
The Red Wings have done a quality job of building a strong stable of young goalies, but haven’t done a good job of making their goalies NHL-ready. Sebastian Cossa had 45 minutes of NHL experience when the Red Wings traded him to Utah this summer.
If the Red Wings send Michal Postava to Grand Rapids at the start of the season, it would make sense for the team to schedule some NHL games early for him to see if he is ready to be the team’s next goalie up.
Maybe more importantly, The Yzerman replacement should have a plan in place for Trey Augustine to experience NHL time even as early as this season. If he is now the goalie of the future, it makes sense for him to have NHL experience before he gets a spot on the roster. They can’t treat him the same way they treated Cossa.
4. Michael Rasmussen vs. Anyone Else
How about the Red Wings implementing a reward system within the organization. Instead of allowing Rasmussen to underachieve, how about seeing what John Leonard could do for 15 games playing with NHL talent. Or, maybe make a trade just to show you are always looking to try something different to shake up the team.
Doesn’t this fan base deserve that?
5. Use Draft Picks in Other Ways
Everyone in hockey understands that first-round picks have only a 50 to 55 percent chance to playing regularly if you draft after No. 15. That’s why you see many teams move those picks in trades for veterans. The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers understand that better than most and it has helped them considerably.
The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons. Maybe it’s time to be bolder with draft picks than Yzerman was.