The Red Wings and Senators are not close

The Red Wings and Ottawa Senators have been in a rebuild race for a while. For a while, they were neck and neck with each other -- that is, until recent years.

Just one year removed from taking the Atlantic Division-winning Toronto Maple Leafs to six games in the playoffs, the Senators hit a wall this year and got summarily swept by the Carolina Hurricanes.

While yes, it's true that the Senators have made the playoffs the last two seasons, and the Red Wings haven't in 10 years, the Red Wings have the advantage in the long-term outlook: the prospect department.

The Red Wings' prospect pool is deeper

Most of you are probably sick of hearing how the prospects are doing It's something that's been repeated for nearly four seasons now. The Senators are a team that could probably make the playoffs most (if not every) season in the near future. That said, barring a major shake-up, that's their ceiling: a perennial playoff team. They'll make the playoffs, sure, but beyond that, there isn't a whole lot to move them forward.

"But Anthony," you may reply, "at least the Senators made the playoffs!" While that's true, they don't have anything in the pipeline that can take them to the next level. Historically, the Sens haven't really been big in that market -- at least not to the extent they would need for a major shake up. While I'd love for the Red Wings to be in that position right about now, the "Yzerplan" has never been about just making the playoffs

It's always been about building a consistent contender, much like he did in Tampa Bay.

How the Red Wings are in a better position long-term

You might be wondeirng how the Red Wings are better set in the long-run. The answer is simpler than you'd think. The Red Wings have one of the top prospect pools in the NHL. We've already seen the likes of Emmitt Finnie for a full season, as well as Axel Sandin-Pellikka for a majority of the season as well. While both had their typical rookie struggles, they both looked great for most of their stints in the lineup and should be great contributors next season.

In the AHL, you've got the likes of Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard, Amadeus Lombardi and Nate Danielson, all of whom have looked really good for most of the season (despite some injury issues).

But wait -- there's more! The Griffins just got the likes of Anton Johansson, Dylan James, Eddie Genborg and Trey Augustine in the lineup. Outside the AHL, you have the current Hobey Baker award winner in Max Plante. You can even search the WHL to find the likes of Carter Bear, who, after a slow start due to him recovering from an Achilles injury the season prior, has been lighting it up with the Everett Silvertips.

That said, it's unlikely that every single one of these prospects play for the team. There just isn't enough space. But that's an additional strength the Wings have over the Sens: they have the assets to outbid the Senators for any player they want. Picks, prospects, you name it, the Red Wings have a greater ability to make big trades for players. The Senators don't without moving off of an already established big piece.

While the season may have ended in super disappointing fashion, there is reason to have hope for the long-term outlook of the future.

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