If the Red Wings snap their seven-year playoff drought this season, it will be done from within.
GM Steve Yzerman stood pat at Friday's trade deadline, aside from sending out oft-scratched forward Klim Kostin and his $2 million cap hit next season, declining to sacrifice picks and prospects for pieces he already sees in Grand Rapids.
"I like to think that part of why we weren’t very active at the deadline this year is the depth we have within the organization," Yzerman said. "We have some good players in Grand Rapids, some of our young prospects that are playing there. So sitting here at the deadline, looking at some of the areas that we felt maybe could help us, giving up this year a first-, second-, or third-round pick for depth, we’re better off bringing up our guys from Grand Rapids for that."
The Red Wings had an eight-point cushion on a playoff spot last week, but the Islanders have shaved it to two. While that might be cause for panic, it isn't for Yzerman, who knows the Wings aren't yet "one of those top, top teams that’s willing to give up -- or at least I’m not willing to give up -- first-round picks and top prospects to get in on some of those rentals or high-priced free agents at the deadline." Had he made an addition, Yzerman said that "it would have been trying to add another forward."
"We certainly did a lot of talking," he said, even "right before the deadline, kicking around a few ideas on a replacement for Klim."
"But it was like, jeez, that’s an awful lot to pay, for where we think that particular player is going to fit into our lineup or how much he’s going to be used," Yzerman said.
The two clearest call-up candidates are defenseman Simon Edvinsson and forward Jonatan Berggren, both of whom have already logged some time in Detroit. Berggren has 76 NHL games under his belt, Edvinsson 11. Yzerman said that "both of them have been really good" this season in Grand Rapids, where the Red Wings sent them out of training camp to continue refining their games.
"They’re playing important roles and it’s only a matter of time before they’re in the NHL and playing regularly," Yzerman said. "Overall, I think it's been good for our organization to have them there and I really think it's been good for them. Sending them to play in Grand Rapids this year wasn't necessarily about this year; it's about the next 15 to 18 years. They're going to be really good players and I like to think they're better players today, and I know they're playing a bigger role than they would have here in Detroit this season."
Ultimately, Yzerman's decision to stand pat Friday reflects the Wings' reality in his fifth season as GM: "For where we’re at, an improving team that has a chance to make the playoffs, we’re still trying to build." The future remains the priority for Yzerman, even as he's bulked up the roster with a wave of recent veteran additions. That includes Patrick Kane, who has 31 points in 31 games since signing with the Wings in November. As Yzerman noted Friday, "We can look at it like that was our trade deadline acquisition."
The Wings otherwise would have been adding at the margins at the deadline. And Yzerman said the players they have in Grand Rapids "are comparable" to what they would have been able to acquire, "unless we were willing to give up our prime assets." He preferred to protect the organization and let the current team chase a playoff spot. He's putting his faith in his players, who get a chance to reward him.
"They've got us into a good spot here," he said. "Now we’ve got a real good race, which is going to be good for our team down the stretch and hopefully we finish the season in a playoff spot."
It won't be easy. In their first game without captain Dylan Larkin, who's out with a lower-body injury, the Red Wings were routed on Wednesday by the Avs. It was their third straight loss after a six-game winning streak, and they've started to yield goals in bunches. Larkin will be sidelined for at least another week.
"I do think we have enough," said Yzerman. "Even without Dylan, our power play should be effective. And we’ve gotten pretty good goaltending all year, and we’ll need that. But I’ve got it all down to, we better be a better defensive hockey team. We gotta tighten up in all aspects of the game, and that's not just defending. It’s your play with the puck all over the ice, you gotta be responsible with it. And that will be, I think, the determining factor."
The Red Wings have allowed 19 goals during their three-game slide, after allowing just 10 over their six-game surge. Edvinsson is one player who could help stabilize the blueline, a physical 6'6 defenseman who's strong in his own zone. Yzerman said that the more he watches Edvinsson in person, the more he sees "an excellent defender."
"He’s gotten more confidence. His closing of plays, his play in front of his own net, when to box out and when to front, reading the play in front of him but knowing where everybody is behind him, just his overall defensive play has gotten better," Yzerman said.
He stopped short of saying the former sixth overall pick will definitely be in Detroit down the stretch. It may take an injury to the left side of the Wings' defensive corps, where Jake Walman, Ben Chiarot, Shayne Gostisbehere and Olli Maatta are entrenched in full-time roles, for Edvinsson to get the call. But if and when he does, Yzerman is confident the 21-year-old will rise to the occasion in the playoffs -- if and when the Red Wings get there.
"Simon is a confident kid ... I wouldn’t be surprised at any point to see him playing games for us here. Certainly rookies have gone into the NHL and performed, regular season or playoffs. Again, he’s a big guy, he skates, he’s strong enough. The way he’s played, I think he could come into our lineup, and that may happen."
All the better if he helps end a drought in the process.
"We would all love for the Red Wings to make the playoffs this year," Yzerman said. "The reality is, we’re in the playoffs right now. Every game is important for us, every loss, every point matters. We have to elevate our play, and I’m very hopeful and my expectation is for our players to do that."
Our players. That is, nobody else's.