NHL Rumors: Red Wings Players Starting To Question Steve Yzerman's Patience

The Detroit Red Wings are nine years removed from their last playoff appearance, and some in the locker room are starting to feel the heat. 

According to Elliotte Friedman on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, this offseason marks the first time Red Wings players—led by captain Dylan Larkin—have openly questioned general manager Steve Yzerman’s strategic patience. It’s a rare crack in the unified front that’s defined Yzerman’s tenure.

Friedman noted that Yzerman may not be used to that kind of internal pressure. "Players want to win," he said, pointing to Larkin’s public comments earlier this spring, which suggested disappointment in the team’s lack of help at the trade deadline. Yzerman responded by reminding the leadership group that success starts in the room, echoing what Montreal GM Kent Hughes told Nick Suzuki during the Canadiens' own playoff push. But behind the scenes, the message in Detroit seems clear: the roster wants Yzerman to be more aggressive.

Missed Opportunities and Mixed Messages

Former head coach Derek Lalonde added another layer to the story in a recent podcast appearance, saying that the team’s summer plans never materialized as hoped. “Things didn’t go our way around July 1,” he recalled, citing the losses of Shayne Gostisbehere, Jake Walman, and David Perron. Lalonde admitted the vibe was off from the beginning and alluded to bigger-picture decisions—like the Walman trade—that hinted at a larger vision from Yzerman, even if it never quite came together.

This man had more points in an NHL season than every player not named Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux.

Steve Yzerman had 65 goals and 90 assists for 155 points in 1988-89. pic.twitter.com/hzpDancbdf

— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) December 12, 2023

Meanwhile, the Red Wings’ brief midseason surge crumbled late, which only amplified questions about the front office’s long-game strategy. “They fell apart completely,” Lalonde said of the team’s post-Christmas collapse. Despite the goodwill he maintains for players like Larkin and Moritz Seider, there’s a sense that the team is stuck in limbo—waiting on Yzerman to shift gears.

Is Patience Running Out?

With Detroit’s playoff drought stretching into its tenth year and other teams growing more aggressive, some wonder if Yzerman’s measured approach is holding the team back. He’s said the Red Wings are no longer in full rebuild mode, and that they’re open to spending for the right player—possibly someone like Mitch Marner, should he hit the free-agent market. But time is ticking, and not everyone inside the room wants to wait much longer.

Mitch Marner seems poised to test free agency...do you think the Red Wings should target him, or should Steve Yzerman spend the cap space elsewhere? ⤵️ #LGRW pic.twitter.com/h5Ntljr2e8

— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) May 19, 2025

As Friedman put it, “I bet you [Yzerman] doesn’t like it,” referring to player frustration. But if the Red Wings come up short again in 2025-26, he may need to recalibrate not just the roster—but his reputation for playing the long game.

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images