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The rebuild is causing pain. There’s no way around it. After losing a chunk of veteran players who were really banged up, including a goalie, it felt like this year would be somewhat better. Unfortunately, the new format has Detroit playing teams that have their number. Oddly, Montreal and Boston were a friendlier matchup for Detroit last year. But Tampa Bay, Florida, CBJ, Chicago, Nashville, Carolina and Dallas are steep competition. Games against Ottawa, Buffalo, NYR, Anaheim, (pretty much all the other basement dwellers) would be a welcome change of pace.
Added to that a huge layoff from the sport altogether, COVID, injuries etc things are just rough all around. The trade deadline is a month and 4 days away. Depth players who are wanted around the league will fetch some draft picks (see those kids is 3-5 years if they make it). Teams may not be making “big splashes” unless it’s money in/money out. Everything is out of whack. But, one bane of Detroit’s rebuild existence may get slightly better. There are proposed changes to the draft lottery.
While Seider in 2019 looks like a real deal Dman, Raymond in 2020 has had some tough times with injuries. After the last draft lottery Yzerman took a good 2 hours at a GM meeting to voice his displeasure. The team fell several spots in each instance. Here is what is being proposed:
No more than 2 “wins” in 5 years - if that were in affect for this draft, New York wouldn’t be eligible to win (won first in 2020 and second in 2019) for another three years.
No team can move up more than 10 spots
Only two positions are in the lottery (as opposed to three).
Those are some of the big ones. Now, of course there has already been whining that would shatter ear drums. While I think it should, past wins will not be counted. It’s a clean slate. New Jersey, who has had some high picks, sits in the dumpster and want to make the most of it. Even Ottawa moved up last year. But, it looks like they will adopt the 2 position rule this year if it passes. Meaning, dead last picks third or better. That’s a win, for now.
Unfortunately, this also removes any motivation for Yzerman to improve the club in the short term. In fact, if Glenny gets traded the PK will get even worse. Another interesting though, Buffalo is fervently searching for a new goalie. I have to imagine that Bernier and/or Greiss have merited some sort of second look. Past that, I don’t expect any big moves until the draft. Just like last year, teams have a frozen ceiling and players will be needing raises. Seabrook won’t play anymore, so look for that contract to be fought over. There’s also the expansion draft. Detroit doesn’t have to protect many of the younger players. In fact, they may need to extend a goalie just to be able to meet that requirement.
So, 2021 will be Yzerman’s third draft at the helm. As bad as things are, it’s going to be neck and neck with Ottawa and New Jersey until the end. We could finish 3rd to last, meaning a 5th overall pick is more than likely. There will be more roster churn and burn with contracts coming off the books.
It goes without saying, next year will be painful too. Seider could (read should) make the roster. Berggren has been very good this year. Veleno will have a shot. Raymond, unless something big happens he’s probably going to develop another year. McIsaac? Needs to be healthy. Soderblom, who was really good for the last WJC, isn’t putting up great numbers in Sweden. Assuming there’s an AHL season, he may be well suited to be there next year. Glendening, Filppula, Helm, Gagner, Ryan (if traded and stays) could all be gone. Only Dekeyser and Stecher are signed through next season on the defense. I expect Hronek to get extended. Merrill, Djoos, Nemeth and Staal could all move on. That’s another huge turnover in defense.
It could be another training camp where about half the roster is new. It’s tough to build with so much turnover, but it’s a necessary piece for right now. Smith, Hirose, Rasmussen and Svechnikov have to take a roster spot or they’ll move on (unless they stay with GR). Even if they do, it’s not an “improvement” by any means. Someone on the current roster would have to develop in a big way, or someone would have to be brought in. NYR has Kakko and Lafreniere, players we’d love to have gotten, and they’re struggling. New Jersey’s top picks haven’t pulled them out of the basement either. Edmonton has McDavid and still hasn’t had much post season success (I’m being nice). Even an elite player can’t carry a team into sudden success.
Just, brace yourselves. Hopefully the draft lottery will be a kinder affair this year. Beyond that, there is still a lot of work to be done to turn this team into a contender.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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