Detroit’s general manager in an interview with Sportbladet
Updated 18.33 | Published at 18.30
Many Swedish talents are knocking on the Detroit Red Wings’ door.
Someone who is expected to have a great future is Skellefteå’s Axel Sandin Bjelica – and Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman has spoken highly of him.
– It’s only a matter of time before he has a positive impact on the team, Yzerman tells Sportbladet.
Over the fall, club legend Steve Yzerman and Detroit saw Axel Sandin Bjelica go from strength to strength.
The 18-year-old Skellefteå full-back has been credited with six goals in 16 SHL appearances and has grown into a key player for Västerbottnings. The plan is that it will eventually become one in Detroit as well.
-We are very happy that he is doing well. Who knows when he might play in the NHL, but it looks like he’s going to be a really good player, Yzerman says.
“We were a little nervous…”
Since Sandin Bjelica was selected as the 17th player in this summer’s NHL Draft, in a few years he could be viewed as a bargain.
1/2Photo: Simon Hastigard / BuildBerron
-We were very happy that he stayed as player number 17. We were a little nervous and didn’t think he would stay for much longer. He’s a little different player than we have in our organization. He’s an aggressive defenseman who moves the ball well and we don’t really have that type of defender. Yzerman says it’s only a matter of time before he makes a positive impact on the team.
Lidstrom rates highly
Yzerman has a long history in Detroit and is considered one of the greatest players to ever wear the red and white jersey. The legend played for the club between 1983-2006 and during that time he won the Stanley Cup three times as captain.
Since 2019, he has been GM, the team has slowly but surely taken steps and are now in the hunt for a playoff spot.
He has had Nicklas Lidstrom to help him for about two years. The Swedish downhill legend is the club’s vice-president and Yzerman is full of praise when speaking about his former teammate.
We in the organization are not only excited about his presence, but also the extent of his commitment. This applies to all aspects, regardless of whether he is in Sweden scouting our prospects or whether he is on site checking out SHL or junior hockey. He’s been in Detroit a long time, he knows how our organization works and the players and managers think highly of him. Yzerman says his perspective on things was invaluable.
For many, Detroit is associated with Swedish players. Aside from Lidström, the team was successful when players like Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg and Thomas Holmström formed the framework.
Right now, only Lucas Raymond is with the team in Stockholm for the NHL World Series. But many Swedish players are knocking on the door for a regular shirt.
-We have some young guys who are close to playing in the NHL. This year they got a bigger role in Grand Rapids (AHL) to develop a little bit and play more special teams and have a bigger role. “They are very young and we expect them to be able to work their way into the team within a year or two,” Yzerman says.
Raises the former FBK hill
He mentions, among others, Simon Edvinsson, Jonathan Berggren, and Elmer Söderblom. But he also mentions former Färjestads defender Albert Johansson.
-He started very well this year. He is now injured but close to returning. Yzerman says he could be a good NHL player, all he has to do is get healthy and play.
Johansson joined the Detroit organization before last season and is in the final year of his contract.
-Based on his style of play, we want him to play in the NHL at some point to see where he fits in next year. Overall, they’re good guys and they all have a chance to become NHL players.
