from Katie Strang of ESPN,

Listening to Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock tell the media Monday night about veteran center Stephen Weiss needing to earn his way back into the lineup ("We don't give away anything for free," Babcock said) despite his hefty five-year, $24.5 million contract is a good reminder why the Wings have made the playoffs 23 straight seasons and are often held up as an example of building a team the right way.

Now, let's contrast that with the downtrodden Edmonton Oilers, who have offered little incentive to their young stars in terms of making them earn responsibility and ice time. A smart hockey man pointed out to me on Monday what happened when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored just four goals in the lockout-shortened 2013 season: Nugent-Hopkins was awarded a seven-year, $42 million contract extension that following September.

What happened when Detroit's Tomas Tatar had two straight 24-goal seasons in the AHL from 2010-12? He was told to go do it again, and didn't find a regular roster spot in Detroit until 2013-14. It's a difference in culture.

The Red Wings foster high expectations and preach patience and preparation. The Oilers, meanwhile, are in shambles and appear to have no long-term plan, firing their goalie coach Monday in one of the most cringe-worthy, petty-looking moves this season. You want to shake things up, do it, but we all know a scapegoat when we see one.

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