Steve Yzerman, general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, addressed the concerns voiced by team captain Dylan Larkin regarding the team's quiet trade deadline. Larkin expressed disappointment over the franchise's minimal acquisitions, only landing goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith while feeling a lack of momentum for the team.

In a press conference, Yzerman defended the decisions, emphasizing the challenges of making impactful trades without sacrificing valuable assets. He acknowledged Larkin's feelings but reiterated the necessity of patience during the rebuilding phase, emphasizing that the team is poised to leverage its assets for future improvements.