The Wings are one elite forward and a top pairing defenseman away from being playoff contenders again. With Larkin, Mantha, AA, Bertuzzi, and potentially Zadina, Rasmussen and Svechnikov filling the top 3 lines with young talent, they are on a good track for the rebuild. Not far behind are Veleno and Berggren, who both have potential to fit into the top 9.
As long as the 2019 draft lottery treats the Wings right, the elite forward should be taken care of. That still leaves the need for an elite-level defenseman. There aren't any top pairing d-men in the Red Wings org right now, but there are loads of potential 3-6 guys developing. Unfortunately, the 2019 UFA class doesn't feature any elite level d-men outside of Karlsson, and he sure as Hell isn't signing with Detroit, so it may take time to fill that role out.
I don't think its probable to pick up a close to NHL-ready, elite-level defenseman in the 2020 draft either. As long as the young d-core doesn't implode on itself next year and the young forwards continue to progress, the Wings shouldn't be getting a high lottery pick. I'd go as far as to say that if they sign a Myers or Gardiner and a scoring forward in the offseason, they may even be competing for a wildcard spot in 2020. Although the efficacy and value of that is debatable.
All in all, if the Wings get a good lottery pick this summer, they should be close to a playoff spot for the next couple years, as long as the young players on defense work hard this summer and the young forwards continue to improve. That being said, it will probably be 2021 or 2022 before there is any chance at actually contending. Zadina and this year's lottery pick will have to get experience a the NHL-level, and future impact players such as Veleno, McIsaac and Lindstrom will need a year or two in the minors before contributing at the NHL level. The rebuild is on track and the amount of assets that the Wings will have in their system and as draft picks will allow them freedom to gain pieces when they start contending in the next couple years.
Needs to be gone with the logjam in GR, got to think there will be 3 young d-men ready to play at the NHL level next year. Pick out of Sulak, Hickets, Cholowski, Lindstrom, Mcisaac, Bowey.
2.
DET
Choix de 2e ronde en 2019 (OTT)
Détails additionnels:
OTT is going to want to reach the cap floor without actually improving their team. The 2020 draft is strong and they are going to want to increase their likelihood of a top-3 pick.
I could see a lot of variations of this trade happening on draft day, where the Wings want to move up and give up a future pick to OTT for it. Just all depends on how the lottery falls and if the Wings see a guy they really want.
I just kept seeing a bunch of people hating on Holland's deadline moves and being so pessimistic about the Wing's future that I had to put my thoughts together lol. I wish he would have moved another piece or two at the deadline, but I don't think the future is in trouble!
Echos a lot of my thoughts. A token pick for Daley or even future considerations would help us out big time and even free up space to sign a vetran D man who is actually serviceable like a Gardiner or a Myers. 2/3rds of our D needs an overhaul even with the young guys coming up.
And I'm totally fine with the moves Holland made. He moved who he needed to. Rental goalie market is always funky and the return for Howie probably wasn't enough to justify shipping him. I love that there were people screaming "wHy DoN'T ThEy TrAdE ERiCsOn" or abbie but NOBODY is taking on those guys with their contracts. So many fans of this franchise think its still 1997...
And I'm totally fine with the moves Holland made. He moved who he needed to. Rental goalie market is always funky and the return for Howie probably wasn't enough to justify shipping him. I love that there were people screaming "wHy DoN'T ThEy TrAdE ERiCsOn" or abbie but NOBODY is taking on those guys with their contracts. So many fans of this franchise think its still 1997...
I agree with this sentiment. It's valid to ask the question, "why did we give Abby 7 years at 4.25 mil when he is at best a 3rd line power power forward?", but to say that management can just snap their fingers and his contract be gone is much different. It's not the end of the world.
If there weren't teams offering a 2nd round, or 3rd and mid round pick for Howie, then there's no reason to move him. You don't give up your starting tender for the next 2-3 years for something like a 3rd round pick, or whatever teams were offering, especially when there isn't anyone ready in the system. Watching Bernier in goal this year shows me that he won't be able to make up for the youngster's mistakes on the ice like Howie does night in and night out, and losing 4-2 every night isn't going to develop the young players.
Exactly. Its also pretty clear that Howie wants to be here and that we don't have any goalies in the system that are anywhere close to NHL ready. I say shore up the D a bit (was looking at the same 2 you mentioned), dump a few bad contracts, maybe add another cheap center or winger (I.E. an Ennis or a Chiasson) and then let the rest play out.
Wojo a aimé ceci.
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