The Detroit Red Wings, for better or worse, through chaos and calm, are back.
Tonight, they'll take to the ice for the start of an 84-game slate against the New York Rangers. While there are still some elephants in the room that haven't been addressed, the rest of the team doesn't appear focused on that.
"There's so much about this club that makes it so special," said defenseman Moritz Seider on NHLPA Media Day. "You get reminded every time you walk into that precious building playing in front of great fans that are dying for the sport. I think that's what I'm most excited about: coming back and playing with fans."
If Seider's comments are any indication, it's that the team is trying to avoid the pressure from outside noise. Now, some "outside noise" is justified -- the inaction by the both ownership and the front office for months on end is a pain point for everyone. But that doesn't mean players like Seider or the rest of the team deserve that ire.
Besides, there's still a lot to get excited about this season.
Young players making a name for themselves
Looking at the opening roster might seem underwhelming at first, but it's got its own fair share of excitement, too. Nearly half of the players listed are under 25. There's a quiet youth movement taking place in Detroit. Best of all, there's a silver lining to all this chaos: the spotlight won't shine as bright on the young talent.
While the media and fans focus on Dylan Larkin, the GM search and the chaos of the front office, the young players can get to work with quietly establishing themselves. No longer will Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Axel Sandin-Pellikka worry about making a good impression. The anxiety Anton Johansson might face during his debut can be tempered now.
There's even a chance Marco Kasper begins his revenge tour.
It's not hard to imagine a changing of the guard this season. Sure, there will be plenty of tough nights ahead, but it can also be seen as a symbolic transition into a new era. The only way out, as they say, is through.
Hoping for a haul
Imagine a scenario where, despite successful seasons from rookies and young players, the team just can't get it done. By the trade deadline, they're looking to sell assets off and hunker down before next season. This time around, they're entering the deadline with a veritable war chest of deadline acquisitions.
Teams are always desperate for defensive depth. They'll look to Justin Faulk (and perhaps even Ben Chiarot) for a little veteran help. On the center front, players like Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher could command returns to teams in particular need of help. John Gibson, a legitimate threat between the pipes, may net a huge haul from a team like the Edmonton Oilers who are always desperate for goaltending.
There's even a world where Dylan Larkin can still yield a hefty return.
If everything goes according to plan, there's a chance the Red Wings can hit this retool running with a top-five pick, a bevvy of assets at their disposal and plenty to hope for in the future.
But the only way out is through.
The journey starts tonight. One way or another, we'll see what Shawn Horcoff can do for the Red Wings this season.
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