Quoting: SharkTank
Yzerman only started selling last season after Detroit cratered in that back to back versus Ottawa.
Not only did they lose but they were bullied and embarrassed.
I don't see that happening this season.
They may not get in but they'll compete until the end.
Competing for a playoff spot isn't abandoning his plan.
He built Tampa in stages. He's building Detroit in stages.
His plan doesn't include selling every season. Red Wings have sold more than any team the past 7 years.
Nobody on this site has any f****** patients! There is a direct correlation between developing the players in your system and long term success. Now Detroit currently has 5 players on the roster they drafted and adding at the TDL is going to cost picks and prospects. Think about it:
Why has Yzerman chosen to fill roster holes with UFAs?
Why aren't our prospects seeing more action in Detroit?
Why has he brought up older career AHL players over prospects?
At the start of the season Detroit wasn't a playoff team and probably won't be one this season. Seriously look at Detroit's roster they have 5 3rd pair dmen and unless Walman is paired with Seider he is some where between a 2nd and 3rd pair dman. He also signed a 35yo old goalie. You can't tell when Yzerman filled out this roster with mostly UFAs, he thought it was going to be a playoff team. This season goal was to be more competitive and be in the hunt for a playoff spot longer into the season. You can't buy your way out of a rebuild and spending a bunch of assets at the TDL just because you are a little bit ahead of schedule is exactly that.
You also have to consider that Kane most likely gets traded since he really is after another cup. So then do you hold on to Ghost, Sprong and Perron and risk getting nothing for them?
Yes, owners want to sell tickets but the Ilitch's are smart and If selling less tickets now results in more sellouts down road it’s a no brainer. Before the cap when Detroit won their most recent cups they didn’t break even until the first couple of home games of the conference finals. They hired Yzerman to do a job so he will have full reign and they aren’t going to bug him about sales at least not for a while. As far as the fans go this is HockeyTown. The home of the USNDP and the home of a couple of the best college hockey programs in the US. Michigan also has more players, coaches and officials registered through USA Hockey.