Steve Yzerman Drops Major Truth Bomb On Playoff Aspirations

The Detroit Red Wings were active this offseason, trying to make their team better for 2023-24. Detroit swung trades for star goal-scorer Alex DeBrincat and veteran defenseman Jeff Petry. And they added a whole crop of free agents including J.T. Compher, Justin Holl, and Shayne Gostisbehere.

This flurry of activity has many fans believing the Red Wings are in playoffs-or-bust mode this season. However, that’s not exactly the case. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman recently addressed this idea at the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids. “We would love to make the playoffs (this season),” Yzerman said, via Detroit Hockey Now. “But is it playoffs-or-bust? Internally, no.”

Yzerman went on to explain that Detroit certainly wants to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. However, there is more to their vision than simply making the playoffs. And that vision remains Yzerman’s priority right now.

“The moves we’re making along the way aren’t necessarily designed toward, ‘Oh my god, we gotta make the playoffs this year, or playoffs-or-bust,’” the Red Wings general manager said. “We’re trying to build a nucleus of a young team that’s going to be together for a long time that can compete in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup, and we’re sticking with that path.”

The Red Wings last made the Stanley Cup Playoffs back in 2016. They bowed out first round to the Tampa Bay Lightning in just five games. Since then, Detroit has attempted to rebuild its roster and return to its former glory.

This past season saw the team finish on 80 points, their best season since 2016. And they have a core of players in place with Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond. They also boast one of the NHL’s best prospect pipelines.

Yzerman insists he doesn’t feel any extra pressure. However, Detroit fans are insisting on playoff hockey sooner rather than later. And these cries will only get louder if the team fails to make the cut once again this season. Let’s see how much progress the Red Wings can make during the upcoming campaign.