Detroit Red Wings’ fans have reasons to remain positive as the regular season closes
As the regular season marches towards its finale, the Detroit Red Wings' fans have some positives to look forward to.
Whenever there’s an elephant in the room, one’s supposed to address it.
The Detroit Red Wings played well, for the most part, against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. However, they couldn’t buy a goal.
Their upcoming games aren’t going to be much easier.
Even an “easy” team in the Montreal Canadiens will pose a challenge as we remember back to the spoiler role the Detroit Red Wings played over the last few years. Fans and players alike live for those games.
As the regular season comes to a close, the Detroit Red Wings’ fans have a few positives to look forward to regardless of scores.
Here, we will take a look at just a few positives, but there are endless. Let me know what you look most forward to as we close out the regular season.
A Defenseman
Witnessing a new defenseman flourish in the Detroit Red Wings’ lineup is always exciting. Before Moritz Seider, we had Filip Hronek fighting tooth and nail for a regular spot in the lineup. This generation has one of the most talented prospects in it.
Much like Detroit Red Wings’ coach, Derek Lalonde, I don’t think Simon Edvinsson knows just how good he will be.
His mix of size, hands, reach, coordination, balance, and excellent skating (just to name a few that come to mind immediately) combine to a level hitherto undreamt of, to borrow from Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Doctor Strange.
To see his ice time creep up, albeit much slower than I’d like, I’m happy he is getting a real opportunity with the stingy Detroit Red Wings coaching staff. Edvinsson’s taking full advantage of his opportunity. While I hope he’s back someday for the Grand Rapids Griffins’ playoff run, it will likely be his last stint if it happens.
In the meantime, I reckon he has earned more than a few extra shifts and maybe a heavy workload over the next few games. Possibly a few more defensive-zone starts with a different partner. I’m sure Edvinsson could handle a few defensive-zone starts with ease.
With the Grand Rapids Griffins, Edvinsson played some right-side defense and it might be worth trying if the Detroit Red Wings’ coaching staff isn’t keen on giving Edvinsson ice time with Shayne Gostisbehere or Moritz Seider. (Honestly, Edvinsson may not be bad with either, but Edvinsson’s partner has to be good at communicating with him–he’s high maintenance but so worth it.)
Really reaching for the stars here, but I think the Detroit Red Wings don’t have much to lose trying Edvinsson on a power play unit (if more than one unit ever gets a real shot on the ice, as I presume he doesn’t overtake Shayne Gostisbehere’s spot for some unknown reason). Much like a shake up to the top-six forward group could breathe new life into the Detroit Red Wings, changing up the power play may help too.
Edvinsson’s unreal at keeping pucks in the offensive zone, making plays, entering the zone, and getting shots through. These things are all important aspects of running a power play that could serve the Detroit Red Wings well over the next few games and onwards.
A Forward
A while back, I wrote about how the Detroit Red Wings’ overall season and Mulan (the 1998 cartoon version) compare. At that time, I wasn’t certain if the Detroit Red Wings had their Mulan.
After some internal debate, which wasn’t long, I decided Lucas Raymond is the Detroit Red Wings’ version of Mulan. While the Detroit Red Wings’ captain, Dylan Larkin, could be argued, I’d say he’s more like a General Li Shang.
Larkin provides the guidance, motor, and discipline for his team, as Raymond provides the spark, innovation, and will power.
Last season, we saw Raymond go through the beginning of Mulan’s training montage.
By the end of the season, as a collective we wondered of Raymond’s next steps. It wasn’t as harsh as Shang telling Mulan to pack up and go home, but maybe some fans were at that point.
Even still, I hear people saying they’d take Ottawa Senators’ centerman, Tim Stützle, in a one-for-one trade. Outside of Jonatan Berggren still playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins, I couldn’t disagree more with this idea.
Raymond’s grown into an above-average NHL player with the potential of becoming a star in the best hockey league in the world. One might argue that historically and currently, Stützle has the edge in these categories, and I would say you’re right.
However, nobody wants it more than Raymond.
“It” being a multitude of things, but mainly the puck. This list also includes winning (one-on-one battles, positioning, board battles, games, etc.). Raymond is always the hungriest on the ice, which I will bet on every time.
Hunger is a trait that I see in our current captain, and previous captains alike.
Raymond takes ideas and skills from other players, adapting it to his own style. This aspect drives his own personal development.
At the same time, Raymond is pushing teammates to be the best versions of themselves, while making sure the team focuses on the ultimate goal of lifting Lord Stanley.
No matter what’s happening on the ice, I know just like Mulan was determined to save China from the Huns, Raymond is determined to pull the team as far as he can.
We’re starting to see a confident, hungry, and talented Raymond learn who he is and how he can control the game. It’s a sight to behold.
Detroit Red Wings’ Fan Community
Whether we are winning or losing, I know I can always count on Detroit Red Wings fans to come together. In good and bad times, we are always there crying, laughing, crying while laughing. It’s beautiful.
These seasons of missing the playoffs have been tough, especially the 2019-20 season…still don’t know what the heck that was but at least we got Raymond as the prize!
Despite the anger, frustration, and disappointment (amongst more colorful words and feelings), we always get through it.
As great as the support is, it’s as incredible seeing the fans challenge each other to think. To open their minds and opinions to other ways of thinking about the team, the games, and Yzerplan. Whether we agree or not is irrelevant, but it’s always fun reading through threads, articles, and listening to podcasts to hear as many sides as possible.
This journey has been a fun one. Let’s appreciate this time and these games, knowing no matter the outcome the future of the Detroit Red Wings’ is as bright as it’s been in the last decade.
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