The Detroit Red Wings and Mulan
As I rewatch Mulan countless times, I can’t help but draw similarities to the Detroit Red Wings.
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." -Pat Morita, Voice of the Emperor in Mulan (the 1998 animation version).
**SpoilerAlert** In case someone hasn’t seen Mulan and wants to in the future, there are some spoilers below. I can’t recommend this movie enough. Although it isn’t accurate to China or the Mulan myths, it’s entertaining and uplifting for kids and adults alike.
The main character, Mulan, paints notes on her arm as she prepares for the matchmaker in her opening scene. Striking a good match via the matchmaker is the only way a girl can bring her family great honor in this tale. The notes help her remember her duties as a potential wife to ensure she brings her family honor.
Fast forward a few scenes, Mulan and the other potential brides bow behind a parasol (similar to an umbrella, but not quite), awaiting their matchmaker. Mulan looks the part of a potential bride.
The matchmaker asks for Mulan by name, which Mulan replies with, “present.”
“Speaking without permission,” the matchmaker scowls, making a note on her clipboard.
Things only go downhill from there.
The culmination is the matchmaker’s bum bursting into flames to which she dances around demanding someone put out the fire. Mulan politely obliges, dousing the matchmaker in tea and extinguishing the flames.
The Red Wings’ playoff hopes are much like the matchmaker’s bum, going up in flames.
As with Mulan’s hopes of finding a potential match, the Red Wings’ playoff hopes going up in flames may be for the best.
While I would love to watch the Red Wings’ in playoff hockey sooner than later, I also understand they have a long way to go to get there. Even more importantly, the Wings might be looking to build a dynasty that is even farther in the distance.
These struggles may not be the most fun thing to watch, but it’s a long way from the 2019-20 season (arguably the roughest season thus far in the rebuild).
Let’s dive into some ways I hope the Wings improve this year (and years to come) to take steps towards the dynasty I am impatiently waiting for…