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Update:
Last Night’s game was one of utter frustration as the Wings now stand 1-3-0. The only win was against Nashville, who is now 0-4-0 with much higher expectations and probably in a bad mood.
Kasper has been recalled and we will learn more about his role tomorrow if he does indeed suit up. That said, I’d like to clarify some of the frustration.
It’s not the years of Yzerman being here. He literally tore the team down and only left 4 players from the previous regime. Add to that the playoff streak and how far the can was kicked and you’re in a unique situation. While there have been reasonable criticisms about what’s going on, that playoff streak and dumping more than a roster’s worth of players is an important point. At first, it looked like Larkin, Bertuzzi and Hronek were the core that Seider was going to be added to. Then, Bertuzzi and Hronek were moved and it seems like Larkin will be more of a senior component to a core built around Seider, Raymond and (?). I’d say Debrincat was the hope but there seem to be some warning signs in play. Maybe Kasper, Sandin-Pellikka or Danielson slot in there.
The problem with the first 4 games has been, everyone but Seider has had a full camp and preseason and Mo isn’t the issue. Raymond is fighting with the puck, it’ll come, but it seems to re-emphasize how much of his scoring came down the stretch when it was needed earlier. Debrincat scored two in the opening loss, Larkin has 2 (one EN), and the team has 9 goals in 4 games with 14 against. One of those games the team won by shutout. So, 14 goals against in 3 games for technicality sake.
What is the system? LaLonde has had multiple takes on how you can’t “yell” at players but have to be more communicative. I agree it’s a different league, but there are plenty of rooms with coaches who can still say “enough”. More and more his approach seems to be a milquetoast “participant trophy” scenario and that’s not something that feels good to type or think. In a short tenure, it looks like he’s lost the room and the players are trying to figure it out for themselves.
10 games is usually my litmus to get someone more solid numbers. This team looks lost far too often. Benefit of the doubt, I’ll try and wait the 6 more contests before a declaration. Last year saw a disaster overseas turn into success at home. Then Lyon stepped in around Christmas and it was a different team. New York (Rangers) are elite. They have high aspirations and a goalie that wants to break $ records. Nashville has the pressure of being the preseason darling for most improved and hasn’t delivered. This opening stretch is brutal.
As always, let me know your thoughts, where do you put Kasper, and is there a trade that could make sense and boost the blue line? Will LaLonde last the season?
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