With just four games left in the season, the Detroit Red Wings are currently on the outside looking in. After yesterday's heartbreaker against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the writing appears to be on the proverbial wall. It will take a herculean effort for the team to find a way to make it to the playoffs. While it isn't entirely impossible, it's certainly improbable.
No matter how the season ends, next year should serve as the perffect fresh start for the Red Wings.
It's a chance to reset. Rest from injuries. Recover from the slap in the fact that was the annual March beatdown. The offseason is the perfect chance to get some new energy in the locker room, for the team to get together and figure out what went wrong and how they can improve. Whether they, by some miracle, make the playoffs or whether they miss the dance yet again, the team desperately needs a refresher.
Pressure not going away for Red Wings
Having said that, an offseason restart doesn't make the pressure go away. In fact, it more than likely magnifies it. The Red Wings are on the cusp of owning the longest active playoff drought in the NHL. It's been a decade since the fans have tasted playoff hockey. Little Caesar's Arena has never seen an NHL playoff game in its life.
The pressure isn't going anywhere, but a change in mindset might be best for the Red Wings.
Whatever strategy or mentality they tried this year didn't work. Where some believe it to be a locker room issue, others chalk it up to a lack of top tier talent. These are both problems that can be addressed this offseason. The problems Detroit is facing aren't unfixable -- in fact, they can be fixed as long as the team is dedicated to fixing them.
Fresh faces, fresher perspectives
Locker room turnover is inevitable. Something fundamental needs to change about the Red Wings in order for them to seriously contend in the playoffs. It could be a major trade, an offer sheet or even moving on from someone in the core. Solutions range from adding around the margins to completely upending the nucleus of the roster. If this team wants to show it's serious, though, it needs to make a serious move to change the team for the better.
There are plenty of trade candidates on the market. Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks could be on the move. The Red Wings may kick the tires on Robert Thomas again. Even pending restricted free agent Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars could be an intriguing option.
All of these players bring fresh perspective and tactical knowledge that could benefit the team. Robertson could bring a bit of the Dallas grit to the roster (Robertson returned from yesterday's game with plugs in his nose after getting hit with a high stick). Thomas might have some smart passing plays he's found effective in St. Louis. Bad teams get better by learning from better ones. Treating a talented player as a knowledge source could be a huge momentum-shifter for this squad.
A refresh is possible, probable and, in all likelihood, the best option for the Red Wings.