This team’s core issue is simple: it can’t defend. You haven’t even addressed that issue to be able to call it a playoff team - the defence core and goaltending is war too weak so barring one of the playoff teams this year falling off, this team is still outside the picture.

Explain to me how/why Yzerman would trade for a guy he just traded?

Why not

Vancouver deal contradicts your premise. Not trading Cossa to bring back an offensive D who Yzerman didn’t want to pay 7+.

Canucks aren’t trading Hronek away for a bottom 6 forward and futures. Nothing in that package interests them

Also doesn’t make sense why Detroit would want Hronek back

You were doing well until that Hronek trade lol.

Yzerman moved him for a reason. He's not going to pay more than he got in the first place and give an 8 year deal to a guy who he didn't see fitting into the team's long term plans.

I also wouldn't expect to see Augustine signed next year. He likely returns to MSU.

Canucks would want a high end piece and we dont need a goalie, we would want a kasper or equivalent prospect and picks to even it out. Don’t forget, he went for a 1st and 2nd with a 4th

Holy overpay Batman why in the world would Detroit give all of that up for a defenseman who isn't good at defense. Come on now we could just put Perron back there and give him 23 min a game and he'll put up 46 points easy. If the Wings were to trade for Hronek why would they trade Maatta since is the only partner that made him look like he had a clue on defense. The first 2 trades by them self are fine the 2nd 2 don't make any sense. With the signings you left out Roy you know he's coming home. Rating this ACGM in terms of Batman I'd say you're somewhere between Lewis Wilson and Val Kilmer.

Because clearly Yzerman didn't think he was worth 7+ and is bad defensively the area Detroit is wrakest

Oh perhaps because Horonek wants 8 x $7,500,000 and Yzerman isn't willing to pay him that much.

You lost the Hronek trade with Cossa added to the deal.