Steve Yzerman most recent roster moves proves he's one of the smartest General Managers in the league

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Joshua Deeds
November 28, 2022 (6:33 PM)

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Steve Yzerman's long-term plan for the Detroit Red Wings is a Stanley Cup. He's proven he's capable of accomplishing that because of how he built up the Tampa Bay Lightning to become contenders and then Champions in 2020 and 2021.

In Detroit, the rebuild is still in motion, as the core looks different than it did 4 years ago, as it should be.

As a team 3rd in the Atlantic, you need more than one goalie in case you need a call-up and that's why Yzerman brought this goalie back:

With Sebastian Cossa not being either AHL or NHL ready, you have to build through the waivers and through trades and Magnus Hellberg fell into the Red Wings system again.

«It's been quite the whirlwind,» Hellberg said. «Going into the season, me and my family, we kind of knew that it could be a season like this, trying to break into the league. I think I have to take it as a compliment that teams have the confidence in picking me up. I think it's just that I'm doing something good. I prepared mentally for it before the season.»

In one contest, with the Ottawa Senators, the 31-year-old goalie put up an impressive win against the Dallas Stars, with a .935 SV%.

Hellberg wasn't picked up only for his ability to be a solid back-up, it is looking as if Hellberg will be Ville Husso's back up for now.

Detroit with 3 goalies on roster, since claiming Hellberg, can send Nedeljkovic to the AHL on a conditioning stint for as many starts as he can get in two weeks. Hellberg can backup Husso during that time.

This will allow Lalonde flexibility with the goalie roster and get Nedeljkovic and Hellberg reps in the AHL with both getting a conditioning stint in the AHL and having 3 goalies available at any time.

With Cossa still seasoning in the ECHL, this will give the organization better control over depth and allow Cossa to develop further as well.

Trust the Yzerplan.

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