3 Best Takeaway’s From the Red Wings 2021-22 Season

The Detroit Red Wings season is coming to a close. With the Red Wings only having five more games left in the season, the off-season and the draft will take over as the organization’s priorities while they wait for the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs to conclude.

So, although It saddens me to say that this season didn’t go the way we wanted, or the way the organization planned, there was still a lot of good to build off of going into next season.

In the midst or a disappointing season, it’s always good to find the bright spots in order to have some hope for next season. Despite a ‘failed’ Red Wings season, the Red Wings do have some key takeaways.

The Detroit Red Wings made some great strides over the past year, but in the late stages of a rebuild, and being in a tough Atlantic division, the Red Wings chances of making the playoffs will be held out for another year.

Now, we could go out on a limb and say that the Red Wings chances being so low were because of Blashill, but they are in a very tough division. No matter who the coach is, it would’ve been hard. In contrast to that statement, the Red Wings are becoming one of the younger and more complete teams in the NHL.

By me saying this do I think the Red Wings will be the best team in hockey like they once were? Not really. I mean, one can hope of course, but I do what I can to keep my mindset realistic. And right now, I feel like baby steps is the right move.

So, in order to improve upon next season, they need to figure out what they did well in order to keep going in the right direction. So let’s take a look at the three takeaways from this season.

Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider are the Real Deal

Two Calder Finalists, One Team, One Goal. That sums up this takeaway.

Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider are both competing for the NHL’s Calder Trophy, and both have great odds to win. Now, I’m sure that at the end of the day they would rather not have the Calder being the trophy they mount, but it’s not a bad consolation prize.

The one thing I think people tend to forget about when you talk about these two players is the fact that they are very young. Therefore, they still have a lot more they can give and learn which makes them even that much more exciting. But, with that being said, at this point in their careers- this is where you really get to know the players.

When young players come in and do well, it’s easy for them to plateau because their ego’s get bigger as does their name. Which, hopefully is not the case with Raymond and Seider. However, it could happen.

If the two continue to get better and better, while of course staying humble, the Red Wings will be in a good spot moving forward with them.

Another Year, Another Red Wings Top 10 Pick

The Red Wings are finishing the season in the lottery which gives them odds for the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft. Now, it’s unlikely that they actually get the first overall pick, it could happen which would be awesome.

The Red Wings have had six consecutive seasons picking inside the top 10. That stat is kind of depressing to think about, but it’s true. But for every bad thing that happens, the world finds a balance. Their current struggles gives them a higher pick that they can build around moving forward as they look to rebuild their dynasty.

There are multiple top players in this years 2022 NHL entry draft which makes this draft not overly important. However, there is a clear cut first overall pick and get this- it’s the position that the Red Wings need most: Center.

The Red Wings center depth is terrible, but being able to get a second-line center like Shane Wright, would solve those problems almost immediately.

Shane Wright has been a highly touted recruit and prospect since he was 15 years old, and he hasn’t disappointed in his time with Kingstown. Some people may argue that he’s overrated but I disagree. I’m not going to go too into depth on Shane Wright, but the point is that they could once again receive a top 10 pick which boosters their team in the future.