Jeremy Laura: Detroit embarrassed by Arizona, skid up to 4 games

I guess now is the time to tank for a better draft position.

It's not just them losing 4 in a row but how they have been losing. They are being out played, out muscled, out battled and vastly outscored. They look like they haven't cared about playing since Larkin has been out.

They need Larkin back asap or more losses are going to follow.

I get it, you must have laid down for a nap back in late October when this bunch were 5 wins and 1 Loss, and you just woke up. There’s no Easter Bunny Jeremy.
Then there was the recent six game winning streak over five teams outside the playoff picture, that put delusional Detroit fans in La La Land with visions of sugar plums in late April. Nope, no Santa either.

Two goals in three pathetic performances and Dem Bums are still holding on to a wildcard position. These guys don’t deserve a playoff spot, maybe a spot on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
I’m getting visions of a reincarnated Jeff Blashill behind the bench.
Oooh cold shivers, somebody just walked over my grave.
This guy behind the Detroit Bench should be arrested for theft and fraud. He not only stole HHOF E.C. Lalonde’s nickname and moniker, he’s also fraudulently impersonating and posing as an NHL coach.
Then there’s Joe Veleno, an under productive figure skater, who should have been packaged up in a trade two years ago. But I guess figure skaters are not in high demand unless you have the hands to play hockey.

Damned if they do, damned if they don’t……. back into the playoffs that is,
and all to get destroyed in 8 days.
I pity Steve Yzerman, I wouldn’t want his job with Shohei Ohtani’s salary.

I get it, you must have laid down for a nap back in late October when this bunch were 5 wins and 1 Loss, and you just woke up. There’s no Easter Bunny Jeremy.
Then there was the recent six game winning streak over five teams outside the playoff picture, that put delusional Detroit fans in La La Land with visions of sugar plums in late April. Nope, no Santa either.

Two goals in three pathetic performances and Dem Bums are still holding on to a wildcard position. These guys don’t deserve a playoff spot, maybe a spot on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
I’m getting visions of a reincarnated Jeff Blashill behind the bench.
Oooh cold shivers, somebody just walked over my grave.
This guy behind the Detroit Bench should be arrested for theft and fraud. He not only stole HHOF E.C. Lalonde’s nickname and moniker, he’s also fraudulently impersonating and posing as an NHL coach.
Then there’s Joe Veleno, an under productive figure skater, who should have been packaged up in a trade two years ago. But I guess figure skaters are not in high demand unless you have the hands to play hockey.

Damned if they do, damned if they don’t……. back into the playoffs that is,
and all to get destroyed in 8 days.
I pity Steve Yzerman, I wouldn’t want his job with Shohei Ohtani’s salary.
- GeoffY

So if things are so terrible then why do you even watch this team? Go follow another team. Your doom and gloom is tiresome and your whining is getting old. The sky isn't falling and their prospect pool right now is the deepest it's been in over a decade. We still have a lot of good talent coming up the pipeline. This is why it's called a rebuild. Considering the dumpster fire Yzerman was left from Holland I'd say he's done pretty good. Berggren and Edvinsson will be the newest impact players. Most of the UFA's will be moved out at the end of the season... Although it would be wise to keep Sprong and Ghost (who's offense can't be replaced on the backend in the near future). Nobody's expecting to win a round in the playoffs if they make it... but it will still be good experience for the young players and fun to watch this team be back in it... IF they can actually hold onto a wildcard spot.

This team really needs to get Larkin back in the lineup. Maybe move Sprong up in the top 6 to see what he can do. Can't hurt at this point. I do share the frustration with LaLonde. He can't seem to get this team on track very quickly whenever they run into these losing streaks.

This coach is on the level of Blashill which is to say not an NHL caliber coach.... the boys, even without direction, should beat Arizona..... shame on them for crapping the bed.... but you watch Colorado or Florida or any number of teams that manhandle the Wings and you see structure..... a cohesive 5 man unit playing as a team.... Detroit throws the puck, in many cases, wherever they can seemingly hoping a teammate corrals it...more often then not they chase the game all night...... there are far to many players on this squad with far to many games under them to play so lost and confused.... its the lack of give a damn that enrages me.... these guys look lethargic and disinterested and that is unacceptable and quite honestly a bunch of bull 5hit......this coach desperately needs fired and the veterans on expiring contracts let walk and hopefully dump the dead weight and let the kids come up to the NHL.... leadership is lacking and the desire shared by us fans is lost amongst many of these guys....Im stunned after last night, where is the pride or simple gratitude their feelings weren't hurt watching each other be dealt by the deadline.... they wear the winged wheel dammit...... might as well suit up Abdelkador again....he'd fit right in...

So if things are so terrible then why do you even watch this team? Go follow another team. Your doom and gloom is tiresome and your whining is getting old. The sky isn't falling and their prospect pool right now is the deepest it's been in over a decade. We still have a lot of good talent coming up the pipeline. This is why it's called a rebuild. Considering the dumpster fire Yzerman was left from Holland I'd say he's done pretty good. Berggren and Edvinsson will be the newest impact players. Most of the UFA's will be moved out at the end of the season... Although it would be wise to keep Sprong and Ghost (who's offense can't be replaced on the backend in the near future). Nobody's expecting to win a round in the playoffs if they make it... but it will still be good experience for the young players and fun to watch this team be back in it... IF they can actually hold onto a wildcard spot.

This team really needs to get Larkin back in the lineup. Maybe move Sprong up in the top 6 to see what he can do. Can't hurt at this point. I do share the frustration with LaLonde. He can't seem to get this team on track very quickly whenever they run into these losing streaks.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Rough watch, that game...and the 3 before it. Rudderless is a good word to describe these games. And therein lies my concern: Who takes the leadership mantle when Larkin goes down? No one.

Larkin, thus, will be the target for opposing teams; take Larkin out/off his game and the win's a given. Lalonde needs to be flexible in-game and the boys need to step up. Neither happening right now and that's frustrating as hell.

Our prospect pool is fat, we have some serious talent developing. What we need is someone to become "Larkin-esque" to replace him down the road. Kasper's heating up, Johnny Burgers is awesome, Mazur's arrived, Cossa's on a heater....good things coming. Losing Kostin? I'd have moved Holl but I figure no one was biting. He's ok but we need Eddy. Sprong & Ghost? Extend them now. Both have had a huge impact on this team and will serve us well down the road.

The losing streak sucks, especially this close to the SCPO. But, we all knew the Wing's chances of making it to the SCPO were slim. Right now (to quote Biz on Spitten Chicklets....), "...they're playing with house money..." Gonna be interesting to see what moves are made this summer. Again, this IS a good team. They frustrate the hell outta me (and others, evidently...), but we can see the foundation's solid. Someone needs to step up to Larkin's level.....Until then, we're going to languish.

Oh, and for the haters: LGRW!!!!!

This coach is on the level of Blashill which is to say not an NHL caliber coach.... the boys, even without direction, should beat Arizona..... shame on them for crapping the bed.... but you watch Colorado or Florida or any number of teams that manhandle the Wings and you see structure..... a cohesive 5 man unit playing as a team.... Detroit throws the puck, in many cases, wherever they can seemingly hoping a teammate corrals it...more often then not they chase the game all night...... there are far to many players on this squad with far to many games under them to play so lost and confused.... its the lack of give a damn that enrages me.... these guys look lethargic and disinterested and that is unacceptable and quite honestly a bunch of bull 5hit......this coach desperately needs fired and the veterans on expiring contracts let walk and hopefully dump the dead weight and let the kids come up to the NHL.... leadership is lacking and the desire shared by us fans is lost amongst many of these guys....Im stunned after last night, where is the pride or simple gratitude their feelings weren't hurt watching each other be dealt by the deadline.... they wear the winged wheel dammit...... might as well suit up Abdelkador again....he'd fit right in...
- angryagain

I get the frustration with LaLonde. He just doesn't seem like a true NHL coach. I think Gallant would have been a much better fit for this team. I just don't see the defensive structure this team really needs. And yes... it's glaringly obvious when they play against the elite teams. This team needs to get heavier / bigger and some more sandpaper to make them harder to play against. You'd think they'd be motivated to play with more passion and desperation given their wildcard spot. The Islanders are right in their rearview mirror and that team is playing disciplined and effective hockey at the right time. Wings better find a way to turn things around quickly or it's golfing season early again.

I’m not going to directly address a particular comment but what has made this slide, particularly last night, frustrating. Losing to Florida and Colorado was a chance for the team to see what the next steps look like. Instead of coming out in Arizona like a team that was at least ready to play with structure, it was a mess on the ice. One goal against in particular saw the only Red Wing that had stayed anywhere near the net was Rasmussen. Four other players were headed out of the zone (including the D). Just horrendous play in the first.

The word “Rudderless” was used and that sums it up well. Larkin’s not with the group, understood. However, no one is stepping in. Perron will mix it up and it’s a flip of the coin as to whether he ends up in the box any more. JV isn’t holding up with the wingers. As far as just “sleeping through the season”, we saw a big change in defensive structure. The team was covering players in a hybrid man on man coverage. It’s been out the window. Whatever is happening the structure looks like it is gone. Debrincat fanned on a couple of shots, Veleno missed some passes from Kane. The coach isn’t making in game (or even in between game) decisions that are helping the players. Whether they make it in or not, it is just a brutal watch. Tonight may be really bad after Vegas has loaded up.

You hit the nail on the head Jeremy. The Red Wings look disorganized, and are not motivated for some reason. They always seem lost when Larkin is not in the lineup. Disgusting.