OT: Dead Wings Redux (DRW v NSH open thread)
February 13th, 2021 at 7:59 PM ^
#fireBlashill
February 13th, 2021 at 8:00 PM ^
I know its not entirely his fault, but Blashill has been a massive disappointment. He was hired because he would be great at developing young talent.
Outside of a few guys, none of the young guys have really stepped forward. Larkin, Mantha, and Bert are OK. The rest? Bleh.
In truth, tanking is necessary for another year or two. Hopefully they can actually get a top 2 pick this time around, move on from Blashill and get someone who can really develop the youth.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:55 PM ^
Kinda hard without much talent to develop.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:02 PM ^
Yes , a fan , is a fan. Win or lose .
February 13th, 2021 at 8:13 PM ^
I remember the 80’s dead wings chant at JLA before Stevie showed up. This team still needs a foundation to build upon. We got robbed last year in the draft. This year we may get the #1 pick. Need that elite player to provide a face to the franchise for 15 years.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:52 PM ^
Not so much that the Red Wings got robbed in the draft but that the NHL has a really f***ed-up lottery system, the worst draft among major professional sports.
Fire Bettman!
February 13th, 2021 at 8:56 PM ^
It’s the only one that doesn’t automatically reward tanking a season for the top pick...
February 13th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
That's a good thing?
You think it's a good idea for a team that made the playoffs to get the 1st pick? The NHL has the worst system, by a long shot.
Either do the NBA lottery style or just do it like the NFL/MLB.
February 13th, 2021 at 11:02 PM ^
“You think it's a good idea for a team that made the playoffs to get the 1st pick?”
Has that happened in a year that wasn’t this last one when virtually everyone made the playoffs? No. Should they have changed the lottery process for this last one? Yes.
February 13th, 2021 at 11:06 PM ^
Also, if you’re advocating for it to be like the NBA draft as an alternative, then I would venture a safe guess that you don’t know how the NHL draft actually works. Specifically because the worst record team could actually fare WORSE in the NBA system (no worse than fifth) than in the NHL system (no worse than fourth)...
February 14th, 2021 at 1:30 AM ^
The fact that playoff teams collectively have a better odd of getting #1 overall pick than the worst team in the league is comical and not what it supposed to do. Does it discourage tanking? Most likely yes, but that's a bit too extreme
February 14th, 2021 at 7:35 AM ^
This isn’t even remotely accurate.
February 14th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
The playoff teams combined for 24.5% odd of getting #1 overall pick while the worst team gets 18.5% odd of getting #1 overall pick so how it isn't remotely accurate?
February 14th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
It’s factually incorrect, that’s why. Playoff teams are not included in the NHL draft lottery, period. You are conflating the teams last year (and last year alone) who played in the “play in” round and failed to advance beyond that point with playoff teams. Those teams weren’t playoff teams. Should those teams that didn’t go beyond the “play in” stage have been included in the lottery? Arguable (and I would say no, personally), BUT the logic they applied is the same as any year (so at least they were consistent): if a team played in the first round or the playoffs, they didn’t qualify for the lottery, same as any other year.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:21 PM ^
Beauty assist by Flip on Fabbri's goal.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:42 PM ^
Not as terrible as last year but they still can't score. I'm fully on the #FireBlashill train. Last year I wanted them to lose so they could tank for a better pick but the NHL draft lottery is a terrible system and the Wings have never had much luck. Would much prefer more of the younger guys but Covid makes that trickier and some (Seider, Veleno) are over in Europe for the year. They still need the next Stevie and Sergei to come on board.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:46 PM ^
I just want them to show enough spark to believe this is the foundation for the next generation. They've been so bad I won't be surprised if Yzerman blows this up and starts over again.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:48 PM ^
There's not much else to blow up. It's blown up. The last step would be getting rid of Blashill. Other than that, they are basically all kids at this point other than Helm and Bobby Ryan.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:46 PM ^
Not to be entirely nitpicky as I haven't truly dived into last year's stats at this point in the season, but the records from this year to current are basically identical around this time. They do look to be basically as shitty as last year.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:58 PM ^
Yeah, if there is any improvement it's marginal. I'm just going by the eyeball test...instead of getting destroyed on a nightly basis they are able to hang in there at least somewhat. There is very little offensive skill on this team though. They don't pass well at all. They don't receive passes well either. Still have a hard time breaking out of their own zone and that power play. At what point do the Wings start declining penalties? Blash should be fired for the inept power play alone. I wonder how long they stick with Mantha. Larkin finally got the 'C' this year but he's not the 1C they need.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:16 PM ^
I've been writing a bit about the Dead Wings era recently and the captaincy really seems like a discrepancy between the original and modern Dead Wings. Yzerman's arrival in Detroit in 1984 immediately set the wheels of change in motion. He led the team in goals in his rookie year and helped them reach the postseason for the first time in five years. I love Dylan Larkin, but I'm not convinced he's the 1C to turn the tables. Seems like we may have to wait for our Auston Matthews.
February 13th, 2021 at 8:44 PM ^
Absolutely still watching, at least until a particular game gets out of hand.
Agree with Uncle Leo. The supposed top players - Larkin, Mantha, and Bertuzzi -- are just OK. Not something to build a dynasty around at this point.
But I'll still watch.....always.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:05 PM ^
Don't think I can imagine February nights in Michigan without the Wings! Got a fire roaring in the fireplace, and a 2-0 lead makes me nostalgic for the good ole days. Also, a happy Mickey Redmond just makes everything a little brighter.
February 14th, 2021 at 12:24 PM ^
Exactly my night last night. An enjoyable watch for sure. And how much of a gem is Mickey Redmond? We are so lucky to have him.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:26 PM ^
Saw them in person last November in Jersey, where they got blown apart to the point where 2-3 goals were scored by an awful Devils team from the time I got up from my seat to avoid the exit crowds to the time I actually got out of the arena 5 minutes later.
This year’s team is identical to that team it feels.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:33 PM ^
Did they just play the OSU fight song after Glendening scored?
February 13th, 2021 at 9:35 PM ^
Yes - on the organ no less. That was a pretty epic troll job TBH.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:34 PM ^
Nice goal by Glendenning! Granted Rinne let in a bit of a softie there but who cares. Also love how Nashville trolled Glendenning by playing the OSU fight song on their organ after he scored.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:47 PM ^
They actually look better this year than last, though the results don't show it. I have been a Blashill fan, but he needs to quickly figure out how which buttons to push on the PP and PK. The wings are abysmal on both.
February 13th, 2021 at 9:48 PM ^
Painful to watch, but better days lie ahead.
Filppula, Nielsen, Erne, Helm, Staal, Gagner... None of those guys should be on an NHL roster.
We're stuck with Blashill this year no matter what because there's no revenue coming in to afford a replacement.
February 13th, 2021 at 10:11 PM ^
Wow, year 7 of rebuilding and no real improvement. They need a new owner who wants a winning team back in Detroit. They're following the Lions lead. The pistons have not shown much rebuilding as well. There are no good pro teams any longer in Detroit and this has been on going for a decade.
February 13th, 2021 at 11:19 PM ^
Maybe I'm drinking too much orange and blue Kool Aid, but I honestly believe that the Tigers are just one shitty season away from a major resurgence.
Pitching: Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Matt Manning may struggle as essentially rookies this season, but I expect great things from those three by '22, and there's more talent right behind them on the farm named Franklin Perez, Joey Wentz, and Drew Carlton. Maybe Alex Faedo and another prospect or two will also develop, there's a small handful with that kind of potential. Most, maybe all the pitching fodder now on the staff will be gone, with starter Spencer Turnbull being one of just a couple current pitchers possibly worthy of a roster spot.
Position players: Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson have "MLB star" written all over them. By '23 or more likely '24 watch for these guys: Daniel Cabrera, Roberto Campos, Gage Workman, and Jóse De La Cruz as they rise quickly through the farm system. Maybe one, two or more of OF Daz Cameron, OF Parker Meadows, 2B Kody Clemens, C Dillon Dingler, SS Wenceel Perez or others will join them.
Other than possibly Willi Castro and Isaac Paredes (both look like legit major league hitters) in the 2021 projected starting lineup, and maybe JaCoby Jones, Victor Reyes, and/or Nico Goodrum on the bench, I don't expect anyone not named Miggy to still be a Detroit Tiger.
The Tigers actually have enough stockpiled talent to swing a trade or two in 2022 or '23 for a missing piece, such as a cornerback and defensive tackle or two catcher and/or closer.
The coaching staff new Manager AJ Hunch has put together looks good to me too. Especially the pitching coach they pilfered from Michigan Baseball.
The sky's the limit, my friends!
February 14th, 2021 at 12:32 AM ^
There's not much you can do to rebuild in a salary cap league except stockpile picks and be patient. Ken Holland was the one who waited to long to initiate the rebuild, and we're just now coming to the end of his worst contracts - the Helm and Abdelkader deals, each of which were too much money for too long, which were bad enough on their own but were the exact opposite of what you should do as you decline into obvious rebuild mode.
It doesn't help that they appear to have missed completely on all draft picks since Mantha and Larkin in 13-14. It's too early to judge Yzerman's two classes, but other the Hronek and Zadina, there appears to be no one from the 2015-2018 drafts who will contribute now or in the future. They should be the young core right now that we will see grow into the next generation, instead they're a hole we're trying to fill with flyers, cast-offs and has-beens.
February 14th, 2021 at 1:34 AM ^
It's the first time that all Detroit pro sport teams are all rebuilding for real this time around. The Lions are rebuilding(once again but they have to because Stafford is no longer the QB and Goff isn't a good QB (more of a bridge QB). The Pistons are finally going on a true tanking but they're at least fun to watch with some emerging talents like Grant, Jackson, Bey, Stewart. The Tigers are stocking up on the farm system. The Wings will have Stevie Y overseeing the rebuild and he has a great track record as an executive.
They all won't be good until a few years down the road but that's okay because they are truly rebuilding instead of trying to squeak into the playoff.
February 14th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
This has turned into a great topic.
On the Wings: The thing I am most disappointed in is Mantha's deal. Too big for a rebuilding franchise. Did Stevie Y do that one? If so, it's his only real mistake thus far. The other thing is that Larkin really needs to grow into the Captain's role. I know he's still young, but I don't know if he's talented enough to be the centerpiece of a contender. I would hate to see the Red Wings have to blow things up again a couple years down the road if it becomes clear that Mantha and Larkin aren't cutting it. On brighter topics, I like some of the young skaters and Griess seems good for the Wings at this point. At least there's optimism.
On the Pistons: Fun team to watch that's learning how to play the game. I don't mind the losing since we're obviously targeting a high pick and we should work for that by also giving the younger players lots of run. Love Jerami Grant and the team has some upside after one or two years of tanking. We need to avoid being "just good enough" to be around that last playoff spot -- it's the worst place to be.
On the Lions: I won't be sold on what they do until they show some results, but it seems like they're committing to a real rebuild. I would unload Goff for whatever pick(s) we can get as well, since this seems like a 3-4 year process. The blueprint is there -- right in Cleveland.
On the Tigers: Here's the best chance for a good team in the next few years. I'm not sold on Avila as GM, but Hinch as a coach is solid. We have a wealth of pitching and now some hitters too. Just keep building up and we might have something by 2023. We'll probably win, what, 70 games this year? I hope to see improvement and keep the optimism building.
Overall: The worst time to be a Detroit sports fan I can remember. But there are things to be positive about.
February 14th, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
The Wings are probably about 10 years away from being competitive. As others have stated, the current crop is good-but not great. Larkin, Mantha, and Bertuzzi are not elite players by any stretch of the imagination. The prospect pool is also largely bad. We're too small and too slow and lack elite talent at any position, and there's zero depth in organization and the talent we have tucked away in Europe isn't where it needs to be. Anyone expecting anything differently is crazy. They need to hit on a couple of top 5 draft picks on offense, trade anyone worth a damn for picks, and restock the system and hope for the best. I would also again focus on getting bigger and stronger. There's plenty of elite offensive skill guys who are strong on the puck. We don't have that at all and haven't for a long time.
February 14th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
I disagree - Dylan Larkin is absolutely an elite player. I agree with the other two.
Mantha has the potential to be an elite scorer but doesn't seem to create well, move his feet well, or appear to give 100% (maybe that is harsh). He's like a Franzen lite.
February 14th, 2021 at 7:53 PM ^
Mantha often plays like "someone who got their contract".
February 14th, 2021 at 10:25 PM ^
He’s high-end, but not elite. Some of that may be because he’s been on a bad team his whole career. He’s not a 1C on a Cup team from what I’ve seen. And that’s fine. He’s only gotten close to 1ppg once. I’m obviously not comparing him to Crosby or Mathews, but I would swap him straight up for McKinnon any day of the week and not think twice about it. Larkin plays better defense though and is a more well-rounded player, but this team needs an elite 1C and Larkin just isn’t that guy in my view.