ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski filed a list of “contender tiers” for each and every one of the NHL’s 31 teams on ESPN+ today, and he ranks the Red Wings and Ottawa Senators at the bottom of the barrel:
The basement: Detroit Red Wings
Ottawa SenatorsThe Red Wings made some smart moves this offseason to stabilize the team, including an upgrade in goal with Thomas Greiss, adding to a young group that could include No. 4 overall pick Lucas Raymond. The Senators added Matt Murray in goal and Evgenii Dadonov to a mix of young talent that includes No. 3 overall pick Tim Stuetzle.
Most importantly, both teams have a slew of picks in the first three rounds of the 2021 draft, because they’re still building back to contender status. Another season near the basement of the league isn’t just a prediction, it’s a prescription.
