The Detroit Red Wings are missing a lot.
They lack center depth, they don't have a whole lot going on in the bottom-six, the middle defensive pairing leaves a lot to be desired and the backup goaltending position is still up in the air.
What they're missing above all else is culture.
The team lacks any sort of identity. They don't overpower their opponents physically like the Florida Panthers. They don't rely on depth and trust in teammates like the Carolina Hurricanes. The Red Wings, as they stand, try too hard to be everything at once. They want to be speedy and skillful while also focusing on two-way hockey and toughness. In the process, they fail at every aspect.
This next season should be the catalyst for whatever identity they seek moving forward.
What the Red Wings can rally around
This isn't a problem that should be solved overnight -- nor can it be solved overnight. It's something that has to be refined throughout the entire 84 game season as well as the offseason. It's something that can take years to fine tune. But it can start here. Despite the chaos this offseason has brought, there's a lot to be optimistic about.
The Red Wings have all the potential in the world to bring multiple prospects onboard this season. From Nate Danielson to Carter Bear, a multitude of prospects have the talent needed to make the big leap. There's little to lose from giving the prospects a chance. After all, a plurality of the Eastern Conference made upgrades to their roster, with the Atlantic Division specifically receiving a huge influx of talent.
The biggest thing the next gneerla manager needs to understand is that the Red Wings just aren't equipped to be a playoff team next season -- and that's okay.
This should be a season of influx. The Red Wings have a unique opportunity to cycle out old, underperforming players while replacing them with newer, fresher talent. This, in turn, will change the scope and outlook of the team. The looming specter of playoff pressure will always be present, but it will come with different expectations this time around.
The team doesn't have to be perfect next season. It just has to show that it won't fall victim to the mistakes of the past.
Who stays and who goes with the Red Wings
It should go without saying that the core of Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson are bound to stay. Younger players like Marco Kasper and Albert Johansson have proven that they're capable of holding down a roster spot (at least for now, though Kasper is due for a big season). Prospects and second year players like Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard should be part of the big picture, assuming they aren't traded for star power at some point in the future.
As far as departing faces, it's safe to assume that nearly all of the pending unrestricted free agents are bound to go. Justin Faulk, Mason Appleton, Jacob Bryson, Daniil Tarasov and John Gibson are as good as gone. Many will be flipped for picks. Andrew Copp, while a perfectly alright middle-six center, may extend for another season or two, though it's unclear what his role would be in the future.
This leaves Alex DeBrincat.
On one hand, he'll be one of the premier assets the next GM can flip for a high return. But, on the other, he could be part of the long-term future. He's only 28 years old and is in the prime of his career. If the Red Wings sign him to a seven year contract, he'll still have several years of high scoring left in the tank before he's done. All the Red Wings have to do is pay him his fair share.
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