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Jonathan Bernier made 50 saves in an overtime loss. I’m still shocked by the back to back efforts of both Greiss and Bernier in the final 2 games of the Dallas series. Detroit had “puck luck” to go with the saves in game one, and managed an OT point in the second. 8 goals on 40 total shots with Dallas scoring 5 on just shy of 100. Of course, that’s not a formula for any type of long term success. As the season winds down, Detroit has tons of adrenaline and positivity (plus players who need contracts). Two seasons ago we had a similar bout of “pouring it on” as Athanasiou was on a tear, Mantha, Larkin and Bertuzzi were clicking like crazy. It was in my mind (and others) that the next season would start like that season was ending. Not even close.
It’s a fun ride at the end when it looks like everything is coming together. Reality, though, is that the stress of the season is over. The long slumps, the brutal schedule, the grind of it all. Dallas is nothing but a pile of stress right now as they fight for the final playoff slot. In other words, next year is still a rebuild year. But, things are changing.
I tend to feel like the overstressed accountant or uptight manager in a sitcom when it comes to league finances. For the past couple years I continue to warn about some disturbing trends. For the past couple years I get called “chicken little”. There was a dull “thud” 13 days ago that most of us didn’t hear. Most teams are finished filing their taxes and have gotten a look at “how bad” the losses are. It’s not good. For 9 months of 2020, teams didn’t have fans in their buildings. We’re now at 13 months for some, but player salaries have been paid out. If you’re running a business with a 64million dollar payroll (20% discount for escrow) and you don’t bring any revenue in while paying it out, it’s going to cause some damage.
I pondered the odd state of Columbus, a team that has been loaded with grit and character that has had Detroit’s number for years now. All of a sudden some interesting developments are quietly moving on. CBJ is looking at cutting costs. Tortorella is making 2.5 million and they want to lower that number. (Gallant’s last known ask was 4 million, which also surfaced). There is a holding pattern based on Seth Jones as to how to proceed. Jarmo loaded the roster with talent to try and impress Panarin into staying. It didn’t work out. Now the captain has been traded. If Jones decides to hit free agency, the rebuild button could well be pushed.
Yzerman has Detroit “steady as she goes” in letting contracts expire, trading and collecting assets, letting young guys develop. There are, technically, 13 open slots on the team going into next year. RFAs will be signed, UFAs will be released, some more trades and/or buyouts could continue to help get closer to Yzerman’s vision of the core. The slow and steady is seeing improvement, and CBJ has now sunk below Detroit, at least for now.
The process of improvement is two fold. Internal - develop, create culture, trade, sign etc. And, it is also external - while your team improves, others will decline at some point or another. CBJ, Nashville and Chicago are all looking down the hill at this point. Chicago has loads of scoring talent, but goaltending is a huge issue, and Duncan Keith is doing a lot to keep the defense together. Another year older and another year closer to retirement. Toews may be back (no clue what the medical issues are), Kane is outstanding. At some point, when those final pieces fall off, you realize how much a few future hall of fame players can carry a team.
Perhaps the biggest “blessing” of the limited division was facing Detroit to go head to head with Tampa, Dallas and Florida so many times. Detroit found a couple of impressive wins with 8 kicks at the can. If the league “opens up” next year, a Pacific swing could be a lot of fun for this team. This year was a grind, but I do think it toughened up some of the players. Knowing that it’s not “impossible” to beat Tampa, that you can hold your own against Carolina and Florida, there is a lot of value there.
As soon as each team’s season is finished, the fallout is going to hit. “Internal cap numbers” are being revised. Front office and everyone who isn’t on the ice playing or coaching is looking at layoffs or pay cuts in some organizations. Detroit fans are very lucky to have the Illitch family. This is a family that bought this team when it was a disaster. They spent two decades pouring resources in and building a championship roster. The commitment is still there, and the team is fortunate to have a lot of cap space.
Slow and steady, a.k.a. The tortoise method, is brutal. You’re watching teams around you go racing by. Now, appropriate with Michigan’s famous roadways, a few hares have blown a tire and gone into a sinkhole the size of a city bus. There are teams talking about shedding salary and starting over. There are also teams wondering if they can keep the doors open for another season. Yzerman’s arrival and strategy are giving this club a chance for a bit more success without having to overpay for some free agents. Next season, the internal and external factors could well see Detroit outside of the bottom 10 and closer to a post season birth.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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