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Detroit’s last game saw another reasonable effort derailed by a disastrous period. Three straight games where the third, then the second, then the third period again just seemed to swallow the team and make the painful state of things painfully obvious. Yzerman warned us about the pain of a rebuild. Around draft time, I inevitably hear, “we just need to have 2 or 3 more years like this and we can get going”. During the season, the same voices say, “trade everyone, start all over”. It’s emotion. We forget how painful the season actually is to watch. Starting from “scratch”, as it were, adds another 4 to 5 years to the process. I’d rather not.
Yzerman’s best years as a leader weren’t necessarily his best years as a player. He became a two way center, played on one leg for a long time, and paved the way for 3 championships, was still with the organization for a fourth. The “core” guys could very well be veterans when everything comes together. But, being there for the process helps to build the character and mindset that make it possible to win. Even as things go downhill for Chicago (they are a scoring machine, but not the same dominant crew as won the cups) you still see the imprint of the championships. Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh, the single focus. Even as the teams wind down from those championships, the last remaining players still carry that torch to achieve greatness. It comes from a lot of sacrifice and building the right way.
So, what’s good right now? The power play has scored in 4 straight games. Zadina netted a couple, Mantha is back on the board. Svechnikov has 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games. That is a fantastic start. There are good tidbits worked into the mess right now.
Part of the frustration with the team is that, for long stretches, nothing changes (or it gets worse). There was a slight flurry of ELC signings in the past week, collegiate free agency is coming up soon, and Montreal fired their coach. Again, normally at 20 - 30 games in, it’s really not time to panic. This shortened season is already at near the halfway point so things are starting to shake up. Part of me (and some of you) just wants to see Yzerman do something. It’s like a quick hit of pain relief that stirs things up momentarily. I believe he will make some moves, but the man has fewer leaks than the name brand all night diaper. He has built an incredibly tight ship and nothing happens until it happens. (Is that Yogi Berra?)
And so I shift sights to Buffalo. This is a team that has had some enviable lottery luck that has eluded Detroit. Good players have been brought in at different times, but things just keep falling apart. Everyone knows that Detroit is open to listen, but the “for sale” sign in Buffalo is a bit of a shocker. Eichel is unhappy (again). He’s a young player with a huge contract that should be able to be a top line player almost anywhere. Still, there’s that nagging concern. We all know McDavid didn’t want to go to Edmonton. His lottery reaction was more uncomfortable than passing gas in front of the in-laws for the first time. No one wants to say anything, and someone just wants to hide. McDavid produces like crazy though. The team still hasn’t done nearly enough, but he produces. Eichel is an emotional player. He has only 2 goals (thought 15 assists) in 20 games. On a 10 million dollar deal, that’s not going to cut it.
When O’Reilly left Buffalo he became what many thought he should have been. St Louis had the formula to get him going. There is a nervous twitch when it comes to Eichel. It would cost a King’s ransom to get him, and what if he’s not happy? Teams walk on eggshells to try and appease top players. It creates a fragile environment. Throwing talented players together doesn’t guarantee a winner. Somehow, Tavares left the Isles and many (myself included) thought they were finished. They got better, a lot better under Barry Trotz. You need a coach, you need a system, and you need selflessness.
So Eichel, Montour, Middlestadt, Reinhart and Reider are all being called on. Taylor Hall may move on, Eric Staal may move on. When you go down that list, weigh the costs, who makes sense for Detroit? Maybe Eichel could become a stronger leader in another city. But, for what it would take to get him, is that a chance you want to take? I’d love to see he and Larkin play together, but I just don’t think it’s in the cards. New York, Boston and L.A. may be much better suited to fork over the assets needed to move the former second overall pick.
What do you want to see change first? Move expiring contracts for draft picks? Coaching change? Would you try to sign Hamilton if he became a free agent (it could get pricey). Are there players in Buffalo that could help now and in the future? Let me know what you think.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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