As Animal House climaxes, ROTC recruit Kevin Bacon stands astride a parade gone berserk, shouting, “Remain calm…All is well,” to a fleeing mob. This Detroit Red Wings moment could seem like that. We endure our second prolonged losing streak, with our already shaky defensive corps again eviscerated by injuries.
The franchise will not make the playoffs for the third year in a row. Total points might not even reach last year’s dismal level. Winter doldrums descend on the Detroit Red Wings fandom. Passing the halfway point, we are at the league bottom.
Outside observers remark this historic Red Wings franchise continues to melt down. Right now we are the team other teams want to play to break losing streaks, to play their back-up goalies.
I say, remain calm. If all is not well, it’s better than it looks. Quick rebuilds are abortive rebuilds that must happen over and over, gutting the passion of the fan base. Our talent was too depleted for yet another reload. We must do this right. So let us look not to the surface of things. We are planting seeds. Beneath the bleak landscape of mounting losses, hopeful movements stir despite so many frustrating near-misses.
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Dylan Larkin morphs from pretty good player to flirting with elite status, sporting a 14 game scoring streak, stronger on the puck, flying forward, with leadership in all areas of the ice, all situations.
Andreas Athanasiou already equals last year’s goal output in many fewer games and his speed kills. He skips the dozen game pointless streaks he endured last year. Athanasiou’s release and shot have noticeably improved, as has his overall ability to finish around the net.
Anthony Mantha grows visibly into a power forward, sticking up for teammates. While he needs to stop slugging helmets and skulls, and pummel instead fleshy faces, he has come back from his recent injury as though shot out of a cannon. Blashill harps on Mantha moving his feet. They have been kinetic during his return.
Dennis Cholowski is a top-four NHL defender, possibly a top two, still learning the defensive side of his game. Filip Hronek now creates lots of scoring chances in his recent call-up, still burnishing his defensive play.
With Hicketts and Sulak also in reserve as prospects, our greatest weakness could soon turn into a plus. Think of it, we will soon be able to release Jonathon Ericsson from his turnovers, mousiness in the slot, and zone-clearing gaffes.
Our trade chips are playing more like blue chips than buffalo chips. Jimmy Howard performs as well as he ever has in his career. A Calgary, St. Louis, or Philadelphia cannot avoid considering what it would mean to take him on. If no team antes up for him, then he anchors the Detroit Red Wings during our rebuild.
Mike Green is also back from injury. With Howard and Larkin, Green has been among the best Wings this year. Why would a playoff team seek his services with all the miles on his odometer? Perhaps more than any other NHL player, the team winning percentage with Mike Green and without him is impressive and vast. He takes the team on his back. Nick Jensen and Trevor Daley are having solid seasons as marketable pieces.
We look at the standings, and it is ugly. But if we wince our eyes a little, promise lurks beneath the surface. Stay patient, everyone. Being a fan is mostly suffering, punctuated by rare outbreaks of joy and ecstasy.