fb

Latest News:

2024 Detroit Lions Season Win Total Over/Under Set

The 2024 Detroit Lions Season Win Total number has been released by DraftKings.

Detroit Tigers SP Tarik Skubal Comes Full Circle With Dominating Opening Day Performance

From his MLB Debut, to starting on Opening Day, Tarik Skubal Comes Full Circle.

Detroit Tigers 2B Colt Keith Discusses MLB Debut on Opening Day

Colt Keith Discusses MLB Debut following Tigers 1-0 win over White Sox.

Steve Yzerman talks about ‘uncertainty’ of drafting Russian players

The 2022 NHL Draft is just two days away and Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will have a very important decision to make when his team is on the clock with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round.

But as the draft moves on, Yzerman, and other general managers around the league, will have to weigh the pros and cons of selecting Russian players as the war in Ukraine has thrown a major wrench in the scouting process.

On Tuesday, Yzerman spoke to reporters during his pre-draft press conference about just that.

Steve Yzerman talks about ‘uncertainty’ of drafting Russian players

During the presser, Steve Yzerman admitted that evaluating Russian prospects has been extra difficult during this cycle and that there is an “uncertaintly” about drafting them.

“Russian players were hard to assess and evaluate because it was difficult early to get in there and then you weren’t getting in there at all, or going there,” Yzerman said Tuesday. “There’s always the usual concerns, and throw in just the uncertainty of what’s going on in Russia and a little bit of uncertainty as to what players can and can’t do — will they be available now or any time in the future. It adds just another level of uncertainty to the whole drafting of Russian players.”

After dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, Yzerman said that he and his staff are much more prepared for the 2022 draft than they have been.

“(We have) a little bit more familiarity with all the players,” Yzerman said. “March and April are really important times, we’re all excited about the U18s and watching these kids in the playoffs, and everybody shut down so we missed an important part of the season two years ago. Last year, some of the kids didn’t even play, it was really challenging. This year it was somewhat a return to normalcy.”

Here is the full press conference for your listening pleasure.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Detroit Lions to host Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett

Detroit Lions to host the speedster from Auburn.

2024 Detroit Tigers Opening Day Starting Lineup Prediction 3.0

The Detroit Tigers Opening Day Starting Lineup will include a rookie.

Detroit Lions NFL Draft: Lions land Laiatu Latu in 2024 NFL Mock Draft

It will be interesting to see how the Detroit Lions NFL Draft strategy plays out.

2024 NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions Soar in Post-Free Agency Rankings

The 2024 NFL Power Rankings have been released and our Detroit Lions are the King of the jungle in the NFC.

J.J. McCarthy Proves Why He Should Be QB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft [Video]

Watch as J.J. McCarthy proves why he is the real deal.
W.G. Brady
W.G. Brady
W.G. Brady is a Detroit-based journalist who has been covering the Detroit sports scene for Detroit Sports Nation for several years. He is in his early 30s and has a wealth of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, W.G. has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable journalist known for his in-depth coverage of the teams and athletes in Detroit. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports, W.G. has become a go-to source for fans and readers looking for the latest news and analysis on the Detroit sports scene. He has a good reputation in the sports community and is respected for his unbiased coverage of sports events. W.G. is known for his ability to uncover hidden stories and provide unique perspectives on the teams and athletes he covers. He has a good understanding of the city of Detroit and its sports culture, which he uses to inform his reporting and analysis. He continues to be a respected journalist in the Detroit sports industry.

2024 Detroit Lions Season Win Total Over/Under Set

The 2024 Detroit Lions Season Win Total number has been released by DraftKings.

Detroit Tigers SP Tarik Skubal Comes Full Circle With Dominating Opening Day Performance

From his MLB Debut, to starting on Opening Day, Tarik Skubal Comes Full Circle.

Detroit Tigers 2B Colt Keith Discusses MLB Debut on Opening Day

Colt Keith Discusses MLB Debut following Tigers 1-0 win over White Sox.