EP Rinkside’s Sean Shapiro posted an article which discusses “NHL storylines to watch” in the Atlantic Division for this upcoming season. Here’s what he has to say about the Detroit Red Wings:
Detroit Red Wings – There’s been this funny tit for tat argument on social media going on between Senators and Red Wings fans in the offseason – especially after the Alex DeBrincat trade. Both are pushing they have the better team, both could make that claim, and both are missing the reality that neither will likely make the playoffs this season.
In Detroit the plan, or Yzerplan, this season is to contend, play meaningful games, and maybe get into the playoffs – playoff hockey would be a bonus, but not a necessity. There are some additions, the Red Wings got better, but in the long run, Steve Yzerman has built his cap structure and team for an overhaul of assets in a couple years as the salary cap rises.
If Detroit is out of the playoff picture, there could be another sell-off at the deadline, David Perron, Daniel Sprong, Christian Fischer, and Shayne Gostisbehere will all be pending UFAs.
Until then, this season in Detroit is about finding a way to keep things fun and interesting, while also eventually making room for some of the prospects like Simon Edvinsson, Carter Mazur, and Sebastian Cossa in the following season.
Continued (paywall); Shapiro’s not the first person I’ve heard who suggests that the Red Wings are just buying time until the salary cap rises and more impactful free agents hit the market when Detroit’s current top prospects become NHL-ready.
