'Disappointed' GM Steve Yzerman vows change: 'We need better players'

Yzerman had this to say when asked what needs to change: "The most obvious would be we need better players. We need to improve specifically in certain areas. We can talk about goal scoring, we need to improve in that area, particularly five-on-five. But collectively, if you're watching the playoffs – and I'm assuming and I'm hoping our players are – to play with the intensity and determination needed to be successful to make the playoffs and get there. But ultimately, it's incumbent upon me and my staff to improve the team."

Seven years later

Yzerman on his work since he was named GM: "Knowing full well seven years ago, I knew what I signed up for, I knew what the job, the task at hand was. And so when exactly we were going to be, are going to be a playoff team, I could never pinpoint that.

"To sit here today and say everything's going perfectly according to plan, no. There's a lot of things I'm pleased about within the organization. And areas that I'm not happy, disappointed, things that we need to have done better. We sit here today, a week after the end of the regular season, and see how the season unfolded. I think we're all kind of emotional about this, and need to take a little time to analyze it, and not forget about some of the positive things that are going on here. And then try to address how we move forward."

On the last game

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman talks as coach Todd McLellan listens on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena for their season-ending news conference after missing the NHL playoffs again.

McLellan expanded on his unhappiness with the last game. "I think my lack of words spoke for how I felt at that moment. Listening to the players after and talking to them, they weren't pleased, they were embarrassed with that outing. It's something we have to change in our organization. Every night is important, every day is important. Obviously not happy with the way things ended throughout the season. To cap it off with that was very disappointing. My complimenting Florida was a different way of saying I was disappointed in our players."

On relationship with ownership

Yzerman said he spoke with team owner Christopher Ilitch a few days ago.

"He and the entire ownership of the Illich family are very disappointed with the way the season played out," Yzerman said. "He continues to be extremely supportive of what we're trying to do here. We intend to have further conversations about our team and our organization in the very near future.

"I don't think I'm just going to sit and hope for the best. As an organization, I'm very disappointed how this season played out."

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Disappointed' GM Steve Yzerman vows change for Detroit Red Wings