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I feel like most of the commenters here (myself included) have been writing this same blog, with only a few details changed, for the last 2-3 years. Running low on talent while adding bloated, immovable, cap-blasting contracts at the same time? There wasn't any other way this could end.
To be honest, I think there is one move the Red Wings could make right now that would instantly make them a lot better (although certainly not enough to make the playoffs): fire the coach. The Red Wings certainly don't have the talent to contend but they shouldn't be scraping the conference floor either, at least not yet. I'm not actually suggesting they do it now of course -- would rather wait until the offseason when more candidates would be available -- but I don't think Blashill really has a clue.
Vanek, Ott, Green, and Smith are all obvious candidates to sell. It hurts me to type those last two names, since I think Smith is pretty unfairly maligned (I think he's actually pretty good) and I love Mike Green, but the Wings need to get cheaper and younger desperately and those guys might actually bring in some useful pieces. I would also consider flipping Nyquist for a good return; I'm much more hesitant to trade Tatar.
I don't think anyone's touching Nielsen, Abdelkader, Helm, Glendening, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Ericsson, or Howard considering the abysmal contracts all possess. I know this is an unpopular opinion among many Wings fans but I actually think the DeKeyser deal is just as bad, although a less stats-savvy front office might take him if the Wings eat a million or so, which I'd strongly consider.
I don't think there's really any realistic chance that this is going to be a quick rebuild, given the monumental amount of bad salary on Detroit's books for the next several years. Like it or not it's going to be a half decade, MINIMUM, before we can realistically contend again -- probably longer -- so let's get to work on tearing it down already. |
