Yzerman said he maintains the same approach when it comes to rookies going to the AHL for additional seasoning or making the NHL squad out of Training Camp.
“We’ve got to put a 23-man roster in on Monday,” Yzerman said. “Every year we have to do that. Any young player, if we think they’re ready and we think they’re going to play, we meet with the coaching staff and what’s your plan, understanding the plan changes daily, but if they’re going to play and they’re ready to play, we’re more than happy to keep them.”
Yzerman mentioned Lucas Raymond, who earned his way onto Detroit’s 2021-22 Opening Night roster and finished his rookie campaign with 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 82 games, as an example of that process playing itself out.
“Four years ago, we thought for sure he’s going to play in Grand Rapids this year,” Yzerman said about Raymond. “From Day 1 of camp, he was really good and never looked back. We try to keep an open mind with it. It’s not set in stone that a player has to go to the American League for an x number of years or games or whatever. Kind of let their play dictate when they’re going to be on the roster and to some extent, how the coaching staff plans to use them.”