The Detroit Red Wings may be at its lowest point in terms of morale in its franchise’s history.
It’s impressive considering the runway (100+ years of activity). Fans are down, which is completely understandable. Even professionals around the league cannot grasp the Red Wings’ focus, goals, or purpose. They’re just as confused as Detroit’s fans themselves.
Red Wings President and CEO, Christopher Illitch, was condescending in his only public availability since who knows when, which has aged worse than milk on a summer’s day in a desert. Any jabs or taunts are rightfully being thrown their way by both media and fans across hockey.
Detroit’s head coach, Todd McLellan, and the players suiting up in Hockeytown—not so much. Finally, in a season of despair, the Wings have been forced into playing their youth. Whether we like how this juncture came to be is or not, isn’t the point.
Youth movement is driving the Detroit Red Wings
We continue to discuss the departure of Patrick Kane and the disappointment that comes from former captain Dylan Larkin requesting a trade -- and rightfully so.
Some things that might have been overlooked in all the doom and gloom, however, are the opportunities available to a group we’ve pounded the table to see. Although the divots left behind (from Kane and likely Larkin) are massive and nobody will fill the spots in the same way, it leave massive potential. Potential to the likes we haven’t seen in previous seasons.
Long gone are the days where the Filip Zadinas, Jonatan Berggrens, or Elmer Söderbloms have to fight to stay in the bottom-six, only to pass the puck or try to shoot a puck with guys that are not built for that style of play.
Now, Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård will get that former Red Wings prospects only dreamt of, and they seem determined to make an impact. Through their early season showing, they have increased their confidence. In turn, they have slowly filled parts of the massive hole that the Red Wings are slowly trying to climb out of (even if massive dumbbells are tied to everyone’s ankles).
Kasper had a down season. It was the first time I could even question Kasper as a player, as each season previously, he played the same exact style: physical, relentless and consistent. There was never a wonder of which version of Kasper we might see tonight.
A bum knee can change a lot of things, and it likely altered the entire season for Kasper. Yes, it’s early but before his injury, Kasper already looked like a more mature version of his rookie season in the NHL. How far can his skill and determination take him? Hopefully, far enough that people forget his sophomore season was ever a thing.
Danielson brings uncertainty, but an underlying presence that most hockey fans might miss. The kid is a great skater, even if he’s not elite. He makes effective plays, even if they aren’t mind boggling. His shot is underrated, even if it’s under appreciated.
Injuries during his professional career have kept him at bay, but this season he’s poised for a breakout year. If anyone flies of the page in the next few weeks at Red Wings fans (in terms of surprises), my money’s on Danielson.
On the other hand, Brandsegg-Nygård is just built different. Every time I watch him play without fail he makes me chuckle (I call it The Taxi Chuckle).
Unapologetically mean with a wicked shot down in his arsenal, Brandsegg-Nygård isn’t a typical offensive top-six guy. But, man, does everyone want a player like Brandsegg-Nygård in their top six.
So long as Brandsegg-Nygård can continue to build his confidence (and his teammates help support him throughout that journey), the rest of the league may not be prepared for what he can bring to the table.
When we throw a more seasoned Emmitt Finnie into the mix, a guy who is willing to play literally any role in the lineup (and he plays every role well—like a little sparkler anywhere in the lineup), things get even brighter for the Detroit Red Wings.
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