Make no mistake, the Detroit Red Wings rebuild is still a thing. It is still pressing on, but for the first time in the last 2-3 years, there is a light at the end of the tunnel of despair the Wings have gone through.
The Detroit Red Wings are playing with speed, also most nights of late they are playing with the lead. Yes, they have blown a lot of those leads throughout the season, but the ability to shut the door and turning the leads into wins will come.
The Wings are also showing they can play with patience. Something that had not happened the past couple seasons. The franchise is still nowhere near the playoffs, but Detroit is closer than one might think–no seriously, they are.
The good play is happening more and more often. That means the Wings are more consistent. That will bode well for the organization. Young players are maturing by the game. The young core players are figuring it out while top prospects are fine-tuning their game in the lower levels.
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Beating the Toronto Maple Leafs showed proved a lot. The team started fast; they played a fast game for the duration of the contest. Jumping out to a lead and once again giving the lead-up and later winning in overtime. They’ve been in every game since New Year’s Eve, yet they have not always resulted in wins. The results will come, and the Wings are starting to show that.
That is not what it is all about when a team is rebuilding. It is taking the right steps to ensure future team success. That is what is happening in Detroit. The young and improving Red Wings are beginning to use their speed as an asset. The 2-0 shutout win last night minus Dylan Larkin was a good win even though it was against the Senators.
They’ve been showing just how fast they are, which is opening more scoring opportunities for the players. This should be the focus, create chances for yourself and your teammates. This season was never going to be about wins and losses. It was about fine-tuning and preparing for a playoff run starting next season, which by the way is not far fetched.
By now it is well known that the Detroit Red Wings will be significant players in free agency. While in all likely hood they will have a lottery draft pick. Expect to throw Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno into the mix next season, and suddenly things begin to look up. Suddenly there is a heck of a good young hockey team taking shape in Hockeytown.