It was not expected to end this way. Steve Yzerman — Stevie Y — the Detroit Red Wings hockey legend, was hired to bring the Wings back to their former glory. However, six years into his role as General Manager, the Wings are struggling, arguing among themselves, and seeing their chances for a wildcard playoff spot slip away once again. As anticipated, many fans, and some in the media, are calling for Steve Yzerman to be fired.
The Yzerman For the Job
The Detroit Red Wings have not reached the NHL playoffs since 2016. Their chances of making it in 2024 are diminishing rapidly. What went wrong?
Steve Yzerman was believed to be the best person for the job, certainly the right person for the job of restoring the Red Wings to hockey glory. Steve Yzerman is both a Detroit Red Wings hockey legend and a successful NHL general manager. As Heavy reported, “under Yzerman leadership, the Red Wings won three Stanley Cup trophies. In 2010, Yzerman left the Red Wing family to become the General Manager of the upstart Tampa Bay Lightning. Through a series of shrewd drafts, and skillful trades, Steve Yzerman transformed Tampa into a consistent winner.”
Detroit wanted him back. And the team, the front office, and the fans, were all convinced Yzerman would soon return the Detroit Red Wings to Stanley Cup glory. Unfortunately, the Wings have not made it back to the playoffs during Yzerman’s tenure, let alone reaching the Cup finals. Furthermore, the outlook for the Wings in 2024 is not promising. As of March 19, the Wings are vying with the Washington Capitals for the second wildcard slot. In the past nine games, they’ve only managed 2 wins, one being an OT win against Columbus, the worst team in the Eastern conference.
Strict Adherence to the ‘Yzerplan’
Stubbornness no doubt helped Steve Yzerman during his playing days. Unfortunately, his unwavering commitment to his singular plan to return the Wings to playoff hockey — the so-called ‘Yzerplan’ — has failed to yield any positive results. But this season, after years of disappointment, the Red Wings still have a chance for a wildcard playoff spot. However, in a surprising move, Yzerman did little to enhance the team’s prospects. As Heavy wrote, “for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2016 season, Yzerman’s lack of activity at the trade deadline left anxious fans puzzled.” Yzerman’s solitary move, acquiring Radim Simek from the San Jose Sharks and then sending him to the Wings’ Grand Rapids farm club, will, “aid future Red Wings teams — but do little to nothing for this season.”
Fans are now doubtful that adherence to the ‘Yzerplan’ will pay off this year — or any year. Calls to fire Steve Yzerman are, unsurprisingly, becoming more intense. The Detroit sports media is fueling the sentiment. Pat Caputo of Detroit sports radio station, ‘The Ticket,’ wrote “the Red Wings collapse is a disaster and does point to Yzerman.” Caputo added that a “drumbeat” is growing to get rid of Yzerman and Wings coach Derek Lalonde.
Blaine Fowler of Detroit radio station, WDVD, tweeted “Yzerman should have his feet held to the fire. The Wings were almost 3rd in the division a few weeks ago. WTF??” Similarly, the Detroit Sports Podcast called the Wings play late in the season a “Titanic collapse.” They added, “either Yzerman is overrated and had no depth or (Coach) Lalonde lost the team.”
Countless fans have taken to social media to echo these sentiments. Expect them to grow louder. “Fire Steve Yzerman” has become the sad rallying cry of an angry and long-suffering fan base. It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this.
