from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
A month from the trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings aren't making it easy on their general manager.
Steve Yzerman has been an obvious seller the past two seasons, and while that is still the most likely scenario, it's not as clear-cut this time. The Wings are 23-22-6, and for a change, in the conversation for a wild-card playoff spot rather than the best odds in the draft lottery....
The Wings are off this weekend, using a break in the schedule to get a little rest. They next play Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, one of two games left for the franchise this month. The Wings entered Saturday six points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Bruins have games in hand, which skews what can be read into the standings. (The Bruins and Wings should be caught up in games by Feb. 28, when Boston visits the Kings in Los Angeles, its fifth game in 10 days beginning Saturday.)
"From our perspective, we just have to keep putting pressure on teams above us by trying to win as many hockey games as we can," coach Jeff Blashill said. "We don’t have control over whether or not they win their games in hand. Games in hand are great unless you don’t win them.
"We just have to keep doing two things. One, growing and getting better, not just for right now but for our future. And two, putting as much pressure as we can on the teams above us, and you do that by playing great hockey and winning as many games as you can."...'If Vrana returns soon and the Wings stay healthy, they could conceivably go on a run, even as their schedule includes three games each against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers — along with contests against the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes — all teams jockeying for playoff positioning. If that happens, maybe Yzerman holds steady at the deadline. (No matter what, he doesn't project to be a buyer. The Wings may be able to make the playoffs, but they are not a Stanley Cup contender.) If that doesn't happen, Yzerman could, for a third straight year, flip current assets in an effort to build a better future.
more ($$$)... Boston won in a shootout last night and now are 8 points ahead wit 2 games in-hand.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.