The Detroit Red Wings are “just there” as some would like to say this season. The team is 21-16-5 and sit just one point out of a playoff spot past the halfway point in their season. The team is also 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and don’t seem like they will be going away this season. That being said, there is a lot of competition in the east as six teams are within three points for just two wildcard spots at this time. The Red Wings have their work cut out for them if they want to break their playoff drought.
Right now, the Red Wings are a fringe team when it comes to the playoffs. They could either go on a run, stay where they are, or trail off. While it is in their hands, some big decisions are also in the hands of general manager Steve Yzerman. In the coming weeks, he will have to decide what he will do for his team.
Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff says the Red Wings will be passive buyers and that “Perhaps the best word to describe Detroit is: “average.” They’re not excellent in any one area of the game, and they aren’t abysmal in any one facet of the game, either. They’re just there. Given that GM Steve Yzerman went out and reeled in free agent Patrick Kane, it’s entirely possible that Yzerman will continue to tinker and add to the group. It’s not really the time to go big. And the Wings could sell, but that might not send the right message to the market when they’ve been trying to build it brick by brick.”
Upgrades the Red Wings May Make
Going off where the Red Wings are in the standings and those comments, there are a number of things that can be done to the team. Detroit is not in the right position to go all-in, not unless they move into the top-three in their division and acquire help for more than this season. This type of acquisition can be done, and very well may. It makes the most sense, especially since it appears Patrick Kane also wants to stick around in Detroit past this season.
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The Red Wings sold last season, but it wouldn’t send the best message to a team in the playoff hunt if they did so again. This team is more suited to sneak in this season. It is very possible that the Red Wings move a piece or two out, but also bring someone who will make a bigger impact in a certain area back. There are multiple prospects ready to break in full-time in their system that should be given the chance to. Detroit will be fine. Even if they don’t make it this season, it’s coming.
