from Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press,
Someday, the Detroit Red Wings will make the playoffs again. And someday, when the Wings do get there, they will make some noise and win a series.
But if we learned anything from their tough five-game trip that bordered on disastrous, it’s that the Wings still lack enough of the elite skill and toughness to sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2016 — and then beat a top seed once they get there.
At the very least, they’re getting closer to being a legitimate playoff team. They’re playing consistent, disciplined hockey under Derek Lalonde. They’re careful with the puck at both ends, calculated on offense and boast a top-10 power play.
But a measly four points out of a possible 10, with two losses coming via shutout, isn’t the kind of inspiring late-season charge anyone wants to see from a team on the playoff bubble....
I’ve applauded general manager Steve Yzerman for keeping the team intact at the trade deadline this season. Because that’s the first step in him considering the Wings a playoff team instead of an annual yard sale for the NHL’s power brokers to pick through like rich neighbors offering you pennies for those pricey P90X videos you never opened.
Yzerman’s inaction is a start, but it still falls short of the next and most important step: Adding key pieces that help a team not only reach the playoffs but also win series.
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I just can't let this article go without me pointing out some major flaws in his argument:
call me an optimist but this whole race isn't over yet. Maybe Detroit isn't the favorite to land the #8 seed but they aren't out of it just yet.
Agreed, it wasn't "inspiring" but what exactly would have been a successful road trip. This was a brutal slice of the schedule against some of the best teams, on the road. With the exception of the Carolina game, they played pretty well. It wasn't this part of the schedule that seriously hurt their chances but the 7 game losing streak including losses to some of the worst teams in the NHL. I was honestly hoping for 5 out of 10 points on this road trip. So in my evaluation they fell just short. We knew this wasn't going to be easy.
I understood but didn't really applaud Yzerman keeping the team intact. I was very worried we could see the scenario play out where they miss the playoffs and effectively get zero for some expiring contracts. It's hard not to think about what they might have gotten for Perron, Ghost, Sprong or even Kane. I would have never traded all of them but I know I would have had serious discussions about moving one or two of them and if it would have meant they could have offloaded Holl or Petry as part of a package that would have been a no brainer.
Drew Sharp knew more about hockey than this guy.
Paul, you and the posters on the site know more than this guy.🤣
I am surprised negative shock jock Carlos still has a job.
Hate clicks still count as traffic and that's what makes money. They know what they're doing.
I didnt want to click, but, I have to ask, has Carlos ever been to a hockey game, and, did he fail math? We are all well aware of the situation.
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