Detroit Red Wings: Is This Season Actually Rock Bottom?

It was laughable when the Detroit Red Wings gave up a goal within the first minute and a half. By the third goal in less than five minutes, it wasn’t funny anymore. Seeing that the same tired lineup was one thing, but witnessing just how outmatched they were was another. It’s getting to the point now where seeing Frans Nielsen on the ice is an exercise in frustration. Forget the mentoring. Forget the “veteran presence” nonsense. Put the best player on the ice.

The growing chorus frustrated with Jeff Blashill will probably hit a piercing pitch after this game, and truthfully, it’s warranted. The Wings looked flat. Discouraged. At times, disinterested. Dylan Larkin got hurt. It was as awful of a game you could have feared.

The confidence Detroit looked to have after a couple hard fought wins has disappeared. The team routinely blown out last season and struggling for long stretches reappeared last night. And another eight game losing streak this early in the season looks like it will happen again.

Things are a little different

The pandemic makes for things to be more challenging. Of course there will be a readjustment period for those guys coming off protocol. That’s not the issue at all. With the NHL’s covid list growing by the day, it’s stunning there haven’t been more cases in Detroit. That human element cannot be dismissed.

But inconsistent scoring along with head scratching lineup decisions, and the offense being concentrated on the stick of the same four players leads to the disaster that’s extended into seven games. An inability to have a solution is troubling.

This is still a rebuilding year. Next year will be, too. But there was supposed to be a semblance of progress. New players added, not a part of last year’s nightmare were supposed to help move the needle.

There were certainly moments during those first four games where it seemed a corner would be turned. And then they hit the wall again.

It’s stale. It’s been the same, tired crap for going on four seasons now, when those Holland teams were veterans used as band aids to make the team just competitive enough to remain in the conversation. Once Tomas Tatar was traded it was evident the direction was changing but it was too little, too late. The descent was underway and what felt like rock bottom last year might not be after all.

Don’t expect a coaching change. Don’t expect a blockbuster trade. Not this year anyway.

Unfortunately, it just looks like more of the same.