Here's the best of Yzerman's Post-Free Agency Presser, touching on UFA signings, Filip Zadina's future, and more

Steve Yzerman addressed the media earlier this afternoon from the interview room in the bowels of Little Caesars Arena.  He spoke for a bit more than half an hour, touching on topics ranging from his UFA business, team needs moving forward, and Filip Zadina's future in Detroit.  Here are a few key takeaways:

Needs Moving Forward

After joking that his staff's first need after the draft and free agency is sleep, Yzerman said: "We'd like to score more...I think that's the general consensus 'hey, the Red Wings need to score more.'  We need to keep the puck out of net.  We need to be better defensively.  We'd like our special teams to be better.  I'm counting on collectively the entire group, the roster that we have now, to chip in a little bit on the offense, which'll help us score more.  Getting Robby Fabbri back healthy, Lucas Raymond a year older, J.T. Compher coming into the mix chipping in some goals.  Collectively, I expect us to improve a little bit.

"It's probably still not where we'd like it to be, so we'll continue in the offseason here to see what, if anything, whether it be through some more free agents that are still out there or even look at potential trades.  Generally, after July 1 and 2, things start to settle down and teams re-evaluate where they are and what they might need to do and for various reasons make have to make a move...We'll explore some other opportunities potentially."

In other words, it sounds well within the realm of possibility that further reinforcements are inbound.  Detroit's most glaring off-season need was scoring punch in the forward group.  With the signing of Daniel Sprong, the Wings took a nice step toward rectifying that problem, and Shayne Gostisbehere should provide value in that regard as well.  While Yzerman expressed optimism at internal improvement this summer, it sounds as though more maneuvering may well be in the works to supplement that further.

J.T. Compher's Role

The biggest (in dollar value, term, and importance) signing of the free agency period to date for the Red Wings is J.T. Compher, coming to Detroit from Colorado on a five-year, $25.5 million deal.

In discussing Compher, Yzerman first touted the forward's health and athleticism, then heaped further praise on his skating and versatility.  Compher played as Colorado's second center a year ago, but Yzerman noted more than once that he can capably play all three forward positions, even as a natural center.

Yzerman also appeared to see value in Compher's experience working his way from the NHL's basement to the Stanley Cup over his tenure with the Avalanche.  In Compher's first season of pro hockey, the Avs won just 22 games and finished dead last in the Western Conference.  In his penultimate season in Denver, Colorado lifted the Stanley Cup.

Of that journey, Yzerman said: "He's a professional.  It's difficult to play on a losing team.  I've had that experience myself as a player, and we all want to play on good teams.  And all the experience—you benefit from it, and he will be able to help our players.  I think he'll be a real help for Dylan [Larkin].  Dylan's lived through some challenging years here, and he's been patient, and he wants to win.  I think a guy like J.T.'s experience can help them get through this and persevere through it, and I have no doubt he will...Having been on a Stanley Cup team, on a tremendous team with really good players, a well-coached team also was a benefit."

Filip Zadina's Uncertain Future

The big surprise of the day came when Filip Zadina's name popped up on waivers this morning.  

Yzerman explained that the move as an attempt to accommodate Zadina and his agent's request for a fresh start.  After exploring the trade market, Yzerman couldn't find any takers, so the next option became waivers.

Yzerman stressed that he had detected signs of progress in Zadina's game last season with injuries getting in the way of further growth.

“I don’t write his career off by any means,” Yzerman said. “I thought he made significant steps. It’s been a challenge for him. He’s had some injuries playing in Detroit. I think he’s got upside. I think he still can become a valuable player in the NHL."  He then pointed to Eeli Tolvanen (claimed off waivers from Nashville to Seattle last season) as an example of a highly rated prospect discovering an effective NHL game after the hype around him had dissipated. 

Yzerman also made clear that the move does not mean he is done in Detroit, pointing out that the multiple years left on Zadina's contract may deter would-be suitors from claiming him, before saying:

“The best-case scenario, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility, is that he clears waivers, comes to training camp, plays well, works his way up into the lineup and goes. Filip Zadina is a nice young man. With high picks there comes expectations from the outside and from within. Not everybody matures or evolves at the same stage. He’s got to stick with it. And unfortunately, now the situation is if he doesn’t get claimed, he’s with our organization and there’s not much we can do other than both work hard and see if he can become a player.”

Despite Zadina's at times rocky path, Yzerman insists "there’s something there as a hockey player.”

Process of Touted Prospects like Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson Making the NHL Roster

Yzerman doubled down once again on patience, this time when it came to the development arcs for Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson. 

In both cases, he said that the players would go to training camp with a chance to earn an NHL roster spot, but that neither will play in the NHL without proving they deserve that chance first.

"I don't think the right approach is to just throw them out there," said Yzerman of Edvinsson in particular. "Let's let him earn that spot, and God forbid we have too many good defensemen, and we gotta figure out that problem."

Before Detroit fans get too disappointed at the prospect of Kasper or Edvinsson potentially starting the year in Grand Rapids though, Yzerman cited Lucas Raymond as an example of a player who earned an NHL position before Wings brass thought he was ready.

Yzerman recounted the way he and his staff assumed Raymond would need a year in Grand Rapids after coming over from Sweden. Instead, Raymond "came over and he performed really well. We kept saying 'he looks good in the rookie tournament,' 'he looks good in the preseason,' 'well, we'll start him off in the NHL.'" From there, Raymond never regressed, played all 82 games, and wound up with 23 goals and 34 assists.

To sum up Detroit's approach to handling a prospect's level, Yzerman said "We'll let their play determine where they go. We aren't going to put ourselves in a position where we hope they're going to make it, because if they don't, then what do we do?"

Michael Rasmussen and Joe Veleno as Models for Other Young Player's Development

Toward the conclusion of his availability, Yzerman lauded Michael Rasmussen as an example of the kind of internal growth he hopes to see from Detroit's young players.

"I think he really did take a step last year in his overall game," Yzerman said of the 24-year-old.  "He's been around the organization five or six years now.  I think we all see him maturing as a hockey player, maturing as a young man, and physically maturing.  You see it on the ice in his skating.

"Michael's worked really hard...He's stayed in Detroit in the off-seasons and really worked at it.  His skating has really improved.  He's a really dedicated athlete, and his confidence on and off the ice has really grown, and I'm really, really happy for him because he's put a lot of work in, and he really cares."

"I came here four years ago, and he was in the NHL," continued Yzerman.  "He was started in the American Hockey League, and he's battled his way through.  He's worked hard to get to where he is, and he's becoming a very good player."

Yzerman has similar thoughts on 23-year-old pivot Joe Veleno: "I'm hopeful and I'm expecting and I'm counting on Joe Veleno to take another step.  Another good young man who was really driven and wants to do well.  I don't know that he was a healthy scratch at all last year, where in previous years, he was in the minors...He's evolving as a player.  Much like Michael has adapted, I think [Veleno] in junior was considered a power play net-front guy.  He's learning how to check.  He's learning how to win face-offs.  He's killing penalties.  That is earning him ice-time, and the offensive part [of his game] is growing."