REPORT: Recent move by Steve Yzerman proves how smart of a General Manager he is

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Ryan
November 29, 2022 (12:57)

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Steve Yzerman is strategic, and built about 90% of the Tampa Bay Lightning who won back-to-back Stanley Cups before stepping away.

Now at the helm in Detroit, we are 4 years underway of the Yzer-plan, and it's been paying huge dividends for the Red Wings.

The core of the team is much different than it was when he took over, and now we are seeing the emergence of players like Mortiz Seider and Lucas Raymond who are the future of the franchise, as well as some of the veterans stepping up to play a huge role.

The Red Wings are currently sitting in the first wild card position and that's been done without the likes of Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana for the majority of the season.

With injuries, Yzerman has been forced to make a move this season and everything has been paying off.

Most recently, he made a move to help Alex Nedeljkovic find his game:

There have been some questions about why Red Wings claimed Magnus Hellberg. I double checked, and here is one option that it opens up in helping Alex Nedeljkovic potentially get his game back together.

Nedeljkovic hasn't played in almost three weeks, while Lalonde said he'd likely play this homestand, Husso has continued to be great. So if Husso keeps the net, it could be almost a month between starts for Nedeljkovic.

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.

Hellberg in theory, could then do his own conditioning stint in the AHL after those two weeks, to get some games. The key to all of this is keeping an open roster spot for 3 goalies, because conditioning stint means you are still on NHL roster

Detroit wasn't getting the play from the AHL goalies it wanted as a reliable No. 3/call-up option. So Hellberg provided that, but he also becomes a moving piece that allows Nedeljkovic to get things going with multiple starts.

-Sean Shapiro

Nedeljkovic hasn't played in almost three weeks, while Lalonde said he'd likely play this homestand, Husso has continued to be great. So if Husso keeps the net, it could be almost a month between starts for Nedeljkovic. (2/thread)� Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) November 28, 2022

Their top goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa is not ready for the NHL so the Red Wings were going to need some help, and luckily for them Magnus Hellberg fell right into their lap:

It's been quite the whirlwind, 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.

Hellberg has only gotten into one game so far this season, but was a huge win for the Ottawa Senators where he posted a .935 save percentage. Picking up Hellberg will prove to be very valuable as he can play as Ville Husso's backup and not force Alex Nedeljkovic to rush back.

Now the Red Wings have 3 NHL calibre goalies who can be called upon at any time.