Is there a better general manager in the NHL than Steve Yzerman?
Don’t think so.
Stevie Y. did it again this week just minutes before Monday afternoon’s trade deadline. He refused to give in to Ottawa’s high demand for the Lightning’s best young stars for two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. So he went for the next best thing; New York Rangers’ defenseman and captain Ryan McDonagh. The Bolts needed a top-four blue-liner, and they got one in McDonagh.
Yes, the price was high, but Yzerman often said he did not want to purge the current roster. A promise kept, as only young forward Vladislav Namestnikov is leaving. He’s enjoying his best season, but the Bolts are flush with fleet young forwards on the big club and more waiting in the pipeline in Syracuse. Yzerman did concede two high draft choices and two good prospects, but the roster virtually remains intact.
A great move by the three-time Stanley Cup winner, who knew what his club needed; but also knew not to panic.
McDonagh is just 28 years old, and with another year on his contract in 2018-19. He’s used to heavy minutes, but he won’t have as many in Tampa. As the Rangers top defenseman he played against opponent’s best line most of the time, but won’t have to do that here. Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman have that job, and McDonagh will be paired with his old Rangers’ blue-line partner Dan Girardi most of the time versus second or third lines. The theory is with less minutes against lesser talent, he’ll only get better. That’s when he returns from an upper-body injury next week.
Yzerman also got 24-year-old forward J.T. Miller, who’s got a big shot and is very good on faceoffs, which has been a weak spot for the Bolts. Miller will replace Namestnikov as a top-six forward, and he joins former Rangers Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Girardi on the roster.
As Yzerman said when he was asked if he went “all-in” on this deal: “I suppose.. we’re trying our best to win the Stanley Cup.. but it’s not like we’ll have to start over if we don’t.”
And that’s why this is a signature Stevie Y. trade. It helps the Bolts now without selling off their future. He’s built this hockey team for the long-haul, with solid older veteran players, but anchored by young veterans like Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. Tack on and a slew of quick scoring forwards in their early 20’s, backed up by a strong minor league system with emerging talent...
Steve Yzerman, the best general manager in the NHL.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
