And so Steve Yzerman isn't a magical faith healer.
He couldn't just put his hand on the collective forehead of the Red Wings, declare "I am The Captain" and turn hockey's version of Ground Zero into a majestic structure overnight.
Yzerman didn't have the advantage of picking from the best players left off limited expansion draft protected lists with no salary cap overhead like Las Vegas and Seattle.
A massive clean up was necessary first. Oh, and there was the matter of lottery luck, or in the case of the Red Wings, lack of it.
While it's undeniable time for the Red Wings to start contending for a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference, it's also clear Yzerman has methodically, and reasonably effectively, made progress.
Yzerman has cap space (estimated $31 million), five of the first 43 selections in Wednesday's NHL Draft (9, 17, 41,42,43), and some intriguing young players that can be moved without decimating a solid prospect pipeline.
What he doesn't have is quite as much slack from a fanbase that is understandably impatient given the lack of progress from all Detroit's sports teams, not just the Red Wings.
The Red Wings made considerable headway last season until back-to-back nights in Ottawa when they were manhandled like a 98-pound weakling in an octagon with Bones Jones.
Yzerman, wisely, decided to sell at the trade deadline, so ultimately the Red Wings were just six points better than the previous season after fading.
They were less turnover prone, the speciality units better, for most of the season the goaltending was much improved and they played more responsibly defensively. Yzerman additions such as goalie Ville Husso, forwards David Perron, Dominik Kubalík and Andrew Copp, along with defensemen Jake Walman and Olli Määttä, did help.
Ben Chiarot, not so much, though, and injuries to Tyler Bertuzzi were hurtful.
What did come out of the '22-23 campaign was clarity. Copp is miscast as a second-line center. The Red Wings don't necessarily need a fighting specialist, but they definitely need more grit. And a top goal-scorer is the biggest necessity of all.
Alex DeBrincat, who has a year left until unrestricted free agency, is a premier goal scorer looking to get out of Ottawa. Don't be deceived by his height, he is a hard-nosed player, whose Corsi has been consistently in the high 50s. He is also a sniper who has scored 40-plus goals twice. Put him on the right wing on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and the Red Wings would have a strong top line.
If not DeBrincat, Yzerman could have a shot at Philadelphia's Travis Konecny. He is a smaller right wing, too, but with a definite edge. He was a point-a-game scorer last season. The Flyers are just beginning a rebuild and are looking to horde draft picks and clear payroll. Konecny is a year older than DeBrincat, and his contract need not be addressed as immediately. He has two years left at $5.5 million per season.
This draft (listen to accompanying podcast) is exceptionally deep at center, but it's highly unlikely the Red Wings will get an immediate contributor where they are selecting.
Center is the biggest challenge of the off season unless Marco Kasper, last summer's first rounder (8th overall), develops more quickly than anticipated.
Also, Yzerman needs to acquire a dependable goalie to pair with Husso.
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Detroit's first pick in 2021, likely won't be ready to begin the season after shoulder surgery. The Red Wings will add a defenseman or two, perhaps even investing in a free agent. It's true Radko Gudas (early 30s) and Matt Dumba (late 20s) don't fit the youth movement, but would definitely improve toughness.
The Eastern Conference's landscape is difficult to predict. Boston was supposed to drop last season, and had one of the greatest regular seasons of all time. Florida looked cooked, rallied to reach the playoffs and advanced to the Final. Tampa Bay, Washington and Pittsburgh seem waning, New Jersey, Buffalo and Ottawa are on the rise.
With solid offseason moves, the Red Wings could reach the playoffs. As is, though, it's unlikely.
Yzerman doesn't need a miracle at this point, just a few more really good players. The foundation has been poured, a frame has been erected. This is the hardest part, the construction phase in earnest.
Truly, a big offseason in so many ways.
