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I branded Detroit As part of the unlucky 7 in the last post. The 7 teams that will probably not play an NHL regular season game again until December. Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo, Anaheim, L.A., San Jose and New Jersey. It’s a shame, but the hope is that this extra time off will lead to a friendlier draft setup for Detroit. If, indeed, only one team wins the lottery, Detroit will pick no later than 2nd. That would mean Byfield or Stutzle in all likelihood (yes Kooleus, I know you wouldn’t take Stutzle at 2). Either is very exciting. Lafreniere, that would be franchise altering.
But, where’s the love for the Wings fans? It is a shortcoming I am hoping to help. With prizes!!
We have some very committed analysts and prognosticators on these boards, so here is your chance to monetize! I am opening a contest/bracket and want to see what you come up with.
First, where will Detroit draft and who will they draft? Give me the position and player (eg. #1 Lafreniere, etc). Along with that, I want you to try and guess the first 4 picks in order. This will be a tie breaker. For fun, let me know where you think that pick will play this year
EG
Pick 1 - Lafreniere to Ottawa - will play in NHL
Pick 2 - Byfield to Detroit - will play in NHL
Pick 3 - Stutzle to Ottawa (on SJ pick) - stay in Germany
Pick 4 - Drysdale to L.A. - play jr
The winner of this bracket challenge will receive a $25 gift card to either shop.nhl.com or Little Caesars. You pick.
Next is the coaching challenge. Who will be Detroit’s coach next season? You can pick Blashill if you don’t think they’ll make a change. One of the great commenters on this board is hoping that Gallant may be holding out for Detroit. He seemed all but certain to go to NJ, but who knows? The other name we’ve heard is
Lane Lambert
It seems possible, if not likely, that Yzerman could be working with an ex teammate (and even roommate with Lambert). Lambert has schooled at the side of a master in coaching. Barry Trotz has the ability to implement a system based on what he has on the ice. He seems very aware of his players strengths/weaknesses and manages accordingly. He is also one of the most beloved coaches in the league. TV announcers have marveled that ex players will line up outside of the opposing dressing room just to say hi to their ex coach. That is rare.
Gallant is also very good at understanding what he has, but seems to have a “shelf life” of 3-4 years. I can’t, for the life of me, figure out why. He’s a straight shooter. Part of the problem we have (in my opinion, not hard fact) is a lack of recognition on the teams weaknesses. It feels like Blashill puts the system forth with very little change, regardless of how we’re performing. And yes, personnel is a big issue right now (plus injury), but it felt like the team never looked comfortable on their assignments. That may just be a misinterpretation on my end.
So, if you pick the next coach correctly, you will be in a drawing for another $25 gift card (little Caesars or shop.nhl.com). If for some reason, neither of those works for you, we’ll figure it out.
Finally, the free agent acquisition contest. This is wide open and probably tricky.
Zach Leach Posted another possible list of buyouts. I’m including these in the guessing. For instance, if you think Ottawa would buy out Bobby Ryan (I don’t know for sure they would) and Detroit would take him at a 1 yr low $ deal (promising to trade to a contender) then put him down. It’s not restricted to players we know for sure will be free agents. If you guess right on this, another $25 gift card is available!
In the event of multiple people getting the correct answer, we’ll do a drawing. I want you to enjoy this and get something back for 9 months of no Wings hockey. Get creative!!
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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