The Detroit Red Wings have hit rock bottom and it’s only up from here

After an embarrassing effort at home against the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Red Wings have officially hit rock bottom.  Tuesday evening saw the Habs beat up the Wings to the tune of 8-1.

The acting captain of the Detroit Red Wings had some choice words after the trouncing Tuesday night.  Niklas Kronwall expressed to the media the team played with “no heart.”  That is not just something you say to wake up your teammates.  That is the ultimate slap in the face, if you’ve ever been involved in sports in any capacity, the last thing you want to hear is that you’ve played with no heart.

It isn’t a last ditched effort to get something more out of his teammates.  The Detroit Red Wings are well out of the playoff hunt; in fact, they are in the draft lottery sweepstakes for Jack Hughes.  In my opinion, Dylan Larkin will be the next captain of the franchise, but I have little doubt that Niklas Kronwall is the “acting” captain of this team this season.  When he speaks everyone listens, and this message will not go unnoticed.

The veteran defender has made himself available to the media after the wins and losses.  Tuesday night he once again sat there and answered questions, and he was flat out embarrassed, and I don’t blame him.

In an article written by the talented Helene St. James of Freep.com, Kronwall expressed his displeasure;

"“No heart whatsoever,” Niklas Kronwall said. “That was absolutely embarrassing. Our fans deserve a hell of a lot more than that.”Asked if it had anything to do with the trade deadline passing Monday, Kronwall said, “you would think it would be the other way around. The last few days, they’re hard in their own way. But it’s part of the business. We lost a few guys that meant a lot to the guys in the room, but we just have to play. We weren’t even trying. That was absolute embarrassing.”"

Dylan Larkin, Frans Nielsen, and head coach Jeff Blashill also all spoke at the conclusion of the game.  The four of them all repeatedly used the same word “embarrassing.” 

It’s as though the Detroit Red Wings have hit rock bottom.  They have an excellent young core of players, and there will be bumps in the road but to flat out not try is a sad look.  It comes merely a day after Ken Holland expressed in all likelihood the Detroit Red Wings will extend head coach Jeff Blashill’s contract.  But the silver lining here is that there is only one direction to go from here and that is up.

I wish I were a fly on the wall in that locker room after that performance.  It’s only up from here I guess.  Jimmy Howard has gotten the hook in each of his last three starts, that is quite alarming.  After a terrific season, Howard has struggled mightily over the last couple of weeks.  If the Wings are indeed considering bringing back the veteran netminder, they might find him on the discount rack at the bargain annex come summer.

The Wings will surely take part in a bag skate after that piss poor performance Tuesday and have a few extra days off to recover before they try their luck Saturday night in Arizona.