Take one look at Facebook, X, or wherever you get your takes, and you'll find opinions from from the most die-hard Detroit Red Wings fans out there. Sure, the NHL Draft brings a plethora of opinions, regardless if whether you liked or disliked the pick.
But what was the consensus regarding the Red Wings latest first-rounder? Honestly, it wasn't much different from my own take. While myself and fans were furious with Wings taking Bear at first, it wasn't so much that they took Bear as much as it was for the Wings refusing to trade the pick.
Bear was nothing more than an innocent bystander who was just happy to put on a sweater donning the winged wheel. And wouldn't we all? Especially with the legendary Dave Coulier announcing the pick? That would've been something.
But as for the pick itself, fans were more than fine with Bear joining the system. I mean, the kid's relentless and he can play, so why not, right? Plus, those around the league were also thrilled with Bear ending up in Detroit's pipeline.
Red Wings fans wanted a trade but are fine with Bear
Want a nice, little culmination of what I heard from fans over at X? "Wish we'd have traded the pick, but I like Carter Bear." Some had concerns with Bear's Achilles injury, but I didn't expect anything different. Major injuries like that are bound to bring in massive concerns. And those concerns ain't going anywhere until Bear proves he can stay healthy.
That pick could be looking even better now, since the Wings finally made a big move to improve the team when they landed John Gibson. Gibson wasn't worth trading a first-round pick for at his age. Not for a team that was a fringe contender, at best, in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Refusing to overpay for Gibson, who cost the Wings a future second-round pick, a future fourth, and Petr Mrazek, was a smart move. But I'm sure none of us would've celebrated if Yzerman dished out the 13th pick to bring in Gibson. We would've ended up saying something like, "Dude, we wanted a blockbuster trade! Not a netminder heading into his age-32 season!"
What would make fans love the 13th pick even more following instant fury?
Well, Yzerman picked a prospect fans could at least like if it meant not bringing in a star for that 13th pick. Bringing in Gibson was priceless, and there's hardly a fan out there who's not more optimistic with Gibson in the crease instead of Petr Mrazek.
But a monster free agency would make keeping the 13th pick worth it even more. Bringing in a top-six winger and top-four blueliner would make the Wings favorites to at least land a second wild card spot. And it would show us that maybe a trade wasn't as necessary as we thought.
I'd be more than cool with that, and what's not to say it's not what Yzerman's had in mind this entire time? It won''t be long until we find out.
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