GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (via WOOD TV) — New general manager Steve Yzerman isn't wasting any time putting his mark on the Detroit Red Wings' front office.
He and other Wings brass traveled to Grand Rapids Tuesday for annual exit interviews with players for the AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, whose season came to a close over the weekend.
Yzerman said the Griffins program is essential to what he's trying to build in Detroit.
"The stage we're in, we've had several young players come into the organization that we are counting on to move on to Detroit eventually. A lot of draft picks in these next couple of drafts, so we need to have a good environment," he told reporters. "We need to have a good development program for them, so it's absolutely crucial that we run a good program. We know we have a good environment here and we'll do everything we can to make it even better."
The exit interviews give the players a clear idea of what they need to work on what the teams' plans are for them. For a couple of top prospects, Filip Zadina and Dennis Cholowski, development in the off season will be key. Both have showed they have the skill to play in the NHL, but both also need some improvement.
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