Oh, the Sacred 16. That’s what I’m calling those who’ve made the NHL Playoffs. And for the ninth year running, the Red Wings ain’t one of them. That’s unacceptable and inexcusable, considering that the Wings were the face of the NHL not only when I was growing up, but during my high school days. When I thought about hockey, the Wings came to mind.
In 2008, I breathed a massive sigh of relief when they won the Stanley Cup over the Pittsburgh Penguins while most of those in my social network groaned. I’m from the Pittsburgh area, so we have a horde of Pens fans here. Anyway, it was great, even if Sidney Crosby and Co. got revenge the following season.
While the Wings had some good teams since then, they’ve been stuck in the dark ages for far too long. The good news? With at least a solid team in Hockeytown, the Wings are just one good offseason away from making noise once again and reclaiming their spot among the NHL’s elite, where they belong. So, what needs to be done this offseason?
Two words for Steve Yzerman: Be fearless
I love it when NHL general managers build through the draft and try to promote as many prospects in-house, especially when that group of prospects makes the team competitive. Unfortunately for the Red Wings, like most teams, promoting prospects alone is only half the battle.
Just two years ago, Yzerman seemed to be heading in this direction when he traded for Alex DeBrincat. It was a bold move, and DeBrincat’s play was a bright spot for the Wings. But he’s not enough. There’s no elite center-piece on a team that would be making annual trips to the playoffs as a top-three group in the Atlantic Division if they could land one.
So, Mr. Yzerman, the top offseason must is to buckle down, trade a high-end prospect or two, a draft pick, and maybe even a solid member of that core you built, and land that star player from a team that’s willing to give you one. It worked well for the Vegas Golden Knights (Jack Eichel) and the Florida Panthers (Matthew Tkachuk). And odds are, it’ll work well for you, too.
Stop trying the same thing while expecting a different result
The last two free agency periods, for the most part, were snoozers. Yeah, acquiring DeBrincat in a trade has worked. Ditto for signing Patrick Kane when he was ready to roll again. If you still want to cling to those prospects and a core that hasn’t given you a playoff berth, Mr. Yzerman, then why not get more aggressive in free agency if landing a star via trade isn’t feasible?
Mitch Marner could be available, and if Yzerman was willing and able to land him, then we don’t need that blockbuster trade to the same degree. Yeah, look for a way to land a big-name player, and bringing in someone like Marner would make prospective trade pieces want to continue their career in Detroit.
This isn’t to say Marner is a prerequisite to a solid offseason (see the above section). But what I am saying is, land a player who will get the fans excited and stop bringing in skaters who’ll make fans roll their eyes. Marner, or even a player one tier below him, would be a godsend for a group that Yzerman’s built.
Overall, the biggest must for Yzerman this offseason is to complete this puzzle once and for all. Yes, it means concessions, but that’s the name of the offseason game. Make those concessions, sign someone who won’t tolerate and will prevent slumps that the Wings are falling into, and get rid of the dark cloud that’s hovered over this organization for nearly a decade.
Other offseason musts
Here some smaller, yet no less important, needs. For one, the Red Wings need to get more physical, so find yourself a lower liner who can land between two and three body checks per contest. Preferably, give me two of them if you don’t think Elmer Soderblom is a full-time NHLer just yet.
You also need to have a great draft, and one in which you’ll exclusively pick the best player available. BPA is all you need to care about, Mr. Yzerman. Draft players who, at this point, can become potential trade bait later. Not that you shouldn’t keep adding to the prospects pool - that’s also a ‘must.’ But again, don’t be afraid to draft strategically, only to send them elsewhere a few years down the road.
Extending Patrick Kane is preferred, but not required. Kane’s proven that he’s still a great player, but with his age-37 season approaching, there may be better options in or outside the organization.