The Detroit Red Wings have completed their first day of Training Camp under the tutelage of new GM Steve Yzerman, who is encouraged from what he’s seeing from his team’s young prospects on the ice.
“We need more (prospects), but I’m encouraged – there’s a good group of young players that have potential,” Yzerman said Friday. “We’re going to try to add to that group. But with that group, we’re trying to create an environment that allows them to go from prospects to good NHL players, and that’s a big step.”
The prospects won the 8-team tournament, and several of the players who factored into the victory are pieces who envision one day winning it all with the big club. Defenseman Moritz Seider, and forwards Joe Veleno, Filip Zadina, Givani Smith, Chase Pearson, Ryan Kuffner and Taro Hirose are all aiming to factor into Detroit’s long-term success, and Yzerman liked what he saw from them.
“You like to win – it’s better to win than to lose,” Yzerman said. “Most importantly, the kids competed real hard. They learned from it. Some of those kids are only 18 years old and playing against some 23- and 24-year-olds.
“They had good week’s and it’s preparing them for next week and a good buildup for them moving forward.
“It looks like we have a good group of prospects here and we’re hoping they continue to improve and eventually become NHLers.”
Detroit’s first pre-season game is Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena against the Chicago Blackhawks.
