Steve Yzerman's time should be up if Red Wings miss playoffs again 

The pressure is now on in the final weeks of the season. And that pressure should be all on Yzerman, who has yet to build a postseason team since making his then-triumphant return in April 2019. At that time, Yzerman taking over the roster building sparked excitement. Not only was Yzerman a Detroit legend, but he had already proved himself as an executive in building the Tampa Bay Lightning into an eventual dynasty. 

However, Yzerman preached patience. It was clear the Red Wings' rebuild, something fans knew was inevitable following a stretch of 25 straight playoff appearances, six Stanley Cup Finals and four championships, would take time. 

Steve Yzerman's time might be running out 

The problem is that it has now taken way too much time and doesn't appear to be over yet. No Detroit fan wants to hear Yzerman preach patience anymore or explain why they need to look to the draft.

Yzerman, previously resistant to giving up young talent or picks to bring in veterans, did trade for goaltender John Gibson in the summer. Adding an experienced goalie felt like the missing piece. Gibson has even played admirably for most of the season — he's 26-17-3 with a 2.55 GAA and a .906 percent Save%. But without much support behind him in the net and recent regression, Gibson still doesn't seem to be enough. 

Detroit can't just run it back if the same result happens again 

Regardless of any excuse, like being on pace for almost 100 points and the East being clogged with more quality teams than playoff spots, that may exist, the result has to matter. With Yzerman at the helm, the Red Wings have only won over 40 games once and have only surpassed 90 points once, which was last season, when they still faded and missed the playoffs. 

Just getting in the playoffs was once viewed as not nearly enough for a franchise with as rich a history as the Red Wings, but just getting in would now symbolize a giant step in the right direction. And if it doesn't happen, Yzerman's time needs to be up. Because let's be honest, anyone with a different last name would've likely been fired already.