Follow me on Twitter
Silence in Detroit, my previous article, took a look at the lack of forward motion in the Red Wings organization. As per usual, Yzerman works quietly but diligently behind the scenes. In one article, we see that Mathias Brome is closer to making a decision (between Detroit and Vancouver) and that the NHL is floating “balloons” on what the draft and return to action could look like.
Bettman’s balloons and Mathias Brome
Yzerman’s Brome-mance We visited this topic all the way back on March 14th. There was still hockey being played, and it seems like an eternity ago. Seeing this pop up again is an indicator that there has been some sort of break through. The article notes that Detroit and Vancouver are on the “short list”. It’s hard to nail this sort of thing down. Brome will have a wide open opportunity in Detroit. Assuming that the money is the same for both teams, it’s going to come down to what is important to the player. “Do you want to play for the worst team in the league and have a chance to move up the ranks? Or, do you want to play with an exciting team that has post season ambitions where you may end up the “odd man out”.
It’s hard to imagine someone wouldn’t think long and hard about Vancouver. That team has made some forward motion and has some incredible young talent. The benefit is a higher percentage chance of playing on a line that could make you look really good. In Detroit, you could end up on the ice with a porous defense in front of a porous goalie. If you can’t get the puck out of your own zone, it will probably be in the back of the net. It’s hard to look good on the forecheck if you can’t get into the o zone.
Whatever Yzerman is pitching, it is done quietly and without any organizational leaks. He moves in a freakishly stealth type way. I imagine he’s selling the future. He’s selling opportunity to stand out and take a job. He’s selling “what will be” as opposed to “what is”. Until we get a clue as to who the next coach will be (Gallant seems to be all but gone), it’s difficult to figure out where the pieces come together. Should a Peter Laviolette come on board, you’d expect to see a completely different (and functional) break out system. He turned the Predators into a much more offensive team. Detroit seems stuck in a “minimize damage” scheme instead of a “cause some damage” scheme. Man to man D, no one waiting in the neutral zone. 5 players having to skate 180 - 200 feet. That’s just the reality of where things are right now. There’s no Phil Kessel waiting at the opposing blue line for a beautiful saucer from a Malkin or Crosby (yes, he’s in AZ now) and in all alone. Toronto’s scoring depth will do the “borderline too many men” type change (perfected by Crosby) with a fresh forechecking forward against a worn out group. Good goalies and good defensemen give you that option. 4 men defending, 1 guy fresh off the bench and ready to go.
Could you imagine if Larkin could be sprung like that? Or Mantha? Those guys with that kind of room would make a measurable impact on the scoresheet. Until we get back to having a defense that can get pucks up the ice (good grief I miss Lidstrom) it’s not going to happen. We need all hands on deck to try and keep the puck from getting to the goalie. At least we did last year.
I can’t pretend to know where Brome is at mentally. But, it would be nice to seem some new contracts being signed at some point. Here’s hoping.
On to Bettman. If you’re a child of the 80s, you’ll remember “99 red balloons”. A quirky song better known in it’s German “99 Luftballons” from the band Nena. Somehow the untranslated version was more popular than the English, even with hilarious lines like “wary wary super scary”, the English version just couldn’t compete. The song was about fears of the ever popular “mutually assured destruction” of nuclear war. Those balloons weren’t the kind you could turn into a giraffe. Bizarre synthesized riffs and handclap percussion made this a fun song with a not so fun message. As it is, it seems, with the teasers out of the NHL offices.
Bettman admits to “floating” ideas out for reaction. This is shockingly candid, though many of us know it happens. An idea is floated out, and if there is immense backlash it is then shot down as “we’re not sure who said that”. If it is well received, then the details start to trickle through. This is the way the “draft before the playoffs” idea is being doled out. It is still possible, but a solid 15 owners said “no way”. It sounds like there was a lukewarm reception from the others. Part of the draft is the, “I have an announcement to make” that turns boos into cheers. it would be really tough to announce any trades from teams who are still together and making a push. Taking that out of the equation really seems to screw up an important part of the dynamic. Also, how on earth are the 16 spots of playoff teams decided? Could someone end up picking 16th and then winning the cup? Good grief that’s a mess.
It could still happen. We’re starting to see posturing by players (a la Brendan Gallagher) on the league needing to get player approval to do a July reboot. The list of demands and conditions being pondered. Make no mistake, if there is any way to save any part of the season and that leads to less escrow, that approval will come. The players are over a barrel even more than usual. The revenue split has them in debt up to their eyeballs and anything that will tame that will be agreed upon quickly.
Teams are hoping to start working out in May. That would be awesome. Stream it, televise it. Mic up the team meals. Anything. Let’s get some new content from the players and look toward seeing games again.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»