Follow me on Twitter
Wings vs Preds part V was a tough one to watch. Bernier stood on his head, but Detroit offered up no run support. It solidified the fact that the recent win over Florida was a bit of a fluke. As in that tilt, Nashville outworked the Red Wings. This time, the score was representative of that fact.
In all honesty, the team has taken a step forward in defensive play overall. However, the continued failure of the power play and offense in general is as bad as it’s ever been. At some point, a new voice is needed on special teams at the very least.
Claude Julien has been fired in Montreal. This is a tough season to try and “right the ship” for teams who hope to contend. The condensed schedule is brutal, and Canadian teams are living in a time warp to the 1980s where insane scoring is king. None of the teams in that division will be facing any recent cup winners or contenders until the quarter finals. There’s a nagging suspicion that defense will be a lot more important in May and June.
Regardless, Detroit is in the Central where the Florida teams are masterful on defense. Dallas can be, Columbus certainly has the potential. Nashville played very well last night against the club. Chicago is as run and gun as you’d like and have had some success so far. But, for the most part, finding offense from good defense is the mantra of the east. Julien certainly has experience there.
Reality would suggest that Yzerman will ride it out with the coaching staff. We’re continually hearing about “COVID economics” in small bites. The league has added at least another half billion in losses so far this season (if not more) leading the grand total to over 2 billion. Another ECHL team just closed its doors, and I imagine more are on the way. The delay in fan attendance has club projections in pitiful territory. If you’ve not read my pieces from the shutdown, fan attendance (including concessions and parking) account for 50% of NHL revenue. That’s not enough to cover player salaries (which is why escrow is at 20%). All other revenue combined is the other piece of the pie. The outdoor game was, at best, a break even with no attendance. Some teams are defaulting on bills (which you don’t hear about until the lawsuits start). It’s “steady as she goes” for anyone keeping the lights on.
I’d love to see a fresh voice for special teams. Julien may not need to be a head coach at this very second. Yzerman is pushing to delay the upcoming draft due to lack of CHL scouting ( I talked about that last summer as well). The state of things is insanely tentative.
Fans from last night used phrases like “waste of time” in watching the game. I’ve at this point heard upset fans mention trading everyone on the roster and even one (not from the comments) who thinks Hirose will convert his zero goals in GR to a solid scoring threat in the NHL. He’s not. yes, it stinks to have the same result every night, but getting rid of Mantha and bringing up Hirose (yep, I’ve heard it) is beyond insanity. This team still doesn’t have 2 top lines (and won’t until Bertuzzi is back). It’s very easy for teams to cover 5 players and ignore 7 forwards and 4 defensemen.
Any change of pace would be welcome. Gallant, I thought, would have been an ideal fit. Julien on special teams could help. Something, anything at this point to create some chances on the power play is long overdue.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»