New Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is already making his mark on the franchise with the surprise drafting of Moritz Seider with the sixth overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, as well as a host of personnel moves.
But how about free-agency?
The team added former Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula, as well as defenseman Patrik Nemeth and depth goaltender Calvin Pickard, earning them a “C” from ESPN in grades that were posted for each NHL team’s moves on Tuesday.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Detroit won’t be rebuilt in a summer, according to Steve Yzerman’s first moves at the helm of the Red Wings,” Greg Wyshynski writes. “Patrik Nemeth is a nice addition to the blue line at two years and $3 million (average annual value). Valtteri Filppula’s return to Detroit for two years is the kind of move for which Ken Holland would have been demolished, but for which Yzerman gets a ‘because he’s Steve Yzerman’ pass.
“Next summer is when he’ll really be able to put a stamp on the roster.”
