The Detroit Red Wings started the season with players injured. Now they are a bit healthier. There are other factors in play as to why the brand of hockey has improved.
When the puck dropped on the 2018-19 NHL season, the Detroit Red Wings were forced to start four rookies. While it was necessary and valuable to get them NHL experience it netted poor on-ice production out of the gate.
The Red Wings play has breathed new confidence in the team. Imagine that! Better play equals players “feeling it” or confidence. The Detroit hockey team once again is facing injuries, but all is not lost. The higher confidence has the team keeping the level of play and not crumbling due to a player or two sidelined; they also don’t curl up and quit if they get behind. This team has shown they have a lot of fight in them to climb back into games after falling behind.
The Detroit Red Wings have forged a bond of playing together and for one another. Not to mention they have been sticking up for one another on a nightly basis. They are laying the foundation of a winning attitude that will be huge going forward.
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13-13-4 with 30 points through 30 games played a .500 hockey team, imagine that, after starting the season winless in their first nine contests. This has allowed the organization to let their top prospects gain valuable time in the minors to get experience.
This is the best thing that could happen for the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings, to both play well enough to have the next generation of Wings to gel together and learn to play for one another.
There is still a chance a tough December schedule will cause growing bumps the Wings will be better for it. It is becoming clear there is no tanking intention with the Red Wings. There is no real reason to tank at this point anyway.
Unless the wheels come off Detroit should remain close to the .500 mark. That is not the worst thing that could happen. While the draft is important so is having cap space to sign and improve the team with NHL veterans.
All in all, this rebuild is actually more tolerable because of the on-ice production. The front office, coaches and fans are starting to identify young core players that will bring the playoffs back to Motown.
Hopefully, the Wings will continue to grind and improve. There is no reason to believe they will not. They have grown to this point, and all signs point to continued growth which will lead to future success.