NGL, not loving the cultural references the Red Wings organization is bringing to mind
Before we get started, let me say I have a ton of respect for what Shawn Horcoff has done with the Grand Rapids Griffins. This past season the Griffins finished with the second highest point total and the highest goal differential across the AHL. While Horcoff clearly wants to be the permanent GM in Detroit, he’s handled a situation where it’s been made clear he’s not the choice as well as anyone could ask.
So while the search process has been a total abomination, the organization is lucky to have someone like Shawn Horcoff to fall back on.
It could be much worse.
The Dylan Larkin Situation
The big takeaway from today’s presser is that Dylan Larkin has sustained an injury and will not be front and center for the start of training camp.
Can’t stop, won’t stop
It’s probably for the best that Larkin not serve as a massive distraction as the team attempts to focus on the upcoming season. Horcoff more or less said they aren’t going to talk any further about the Larkin situation, opting to keep those conversations private. He was also asked whether he has the authority to trade Larkin and suggested he did, commenting that he has full authority to make any decisions when it comes to hockey operations.
That was not my read of the interview Chris Ilitch gave to Bob Wojnowski, but the fact Larkin is ‘injured’ may suggest they feel they are close to getting something done on the trade front. There was no timeline given for Larkin’s return from ‘injury’, so we’ll see how long this plays out.
New Contracts
Horcoff made it clear they expect to get something done very quickly so that Simon Edvinsson will be able to play on opening night. He also indicated they plan to get Alex DeBrincat signed to a new deal, but there is more time on this front as he’s signed for the upcoming season.
The Approach to the Start of the Season
Horcoff was asked about tanking and the potential of assembling assets, but said he believes the roster is too good to tank given their place in the standings in late January. Beyond that, he indicated the organization would take things week by week, suggesting they are being realistic about their chances with the season in front of them in a division that is almost certainly the most competitive in the entire league.
Roster Composition
While Horcoff trotted out the tired cliché that the NHL is not a developmental league, he commented that he liked the mix of veteran talent, young roster players, and having prospects who are ready to push for a roster spot.
He specifically referenced players like Carter Mazur, William Wallinder and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård as prospects who he thinks are ready to make a push for playing time in Detroit.
Given his time overseeing Grand Rapids, he commented that he has a good feel for which players may be ready to compete for a spot and they will give them an opportunity to earn those spots.
The Deferral on Long-Term Planning
This shouldn’t come as much of a shock, but Horcoff deferred to what Chris Ilitch said regarding the future of the franchise while backing what the club owner had to say. This was the most hand wavy part of the presser, and to a certain extent you can understand this impulse despite him stating that he’s viewing his time in the role as an extended interview.
I do wish someone would have asked him something about what he believes he’s accomplished in Grand Rapids that may fit the bill of being innovative, but it likely would have fallen outside the guard rails that were firmly in place when it came to any conversations on long-term planning for the organization.
To reiterate, Horcoff said he’s taking things week by week, and I do wonder how much we should read into that stated timeline? He indicated there would be some shuffling of roles, but didn’t provide any insight given it’s only been 48 hours since he learned he’d be GM to start of the season.
Horcoff is likely in the same boat as head coach Todd McLellan, and he said they’ve been in regular contact following Steve Yzerman’s removal as general manager. He commented that they both feel the team is close and have discussed how they can make the team better.
The big takeaway from the presser is that Dylan Larkin will not serve as a distraction at the start of the season. The other takeaway is there’a good chance the team will add some youth to the lineup, which is intriguing.
One more cultural reference on the eve of the start of training camp:
