from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,
Going to make it easy this week: 32 Thoughts, 32 teams. In order of points percentage.
Read it before everything changes.
16. Detroit Red Wings: No one had more killer instinct as a player than Steve Yzerman, and his team showed that personality in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Washington. They lost Dylan Larkin 13 minutes in and held strong without the captain in a huge game.
Bertuzzi is not on the market at this time, and neither is Larkin. Several years ago on the CBC version of HNIC, we did a story on whether or not Detroit was still Hockeytown. Mike Babcock’s quotes were incredible, but the interview to remember was Christopher Ilitch’s. At the time the Red Wings were still in the West, and Ilitch talked about how much that hurt their efforts to acquire young fans. So, without a playoff berth since 2016 and in a brand-new building, I understand why they are going for it, even if it means a seventh or eighth-place finish in a brutal conference. It’s time.
Jakub Varna’s return is another lesson: don’t believe in absolutes. Things change. A month ago, I’d heard the rumours he’d never play for the Wings again. There he was on Tuesday night. Hope he’s good, on the right path.
more teams...
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.