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With the Stanley Cup appearing ready to return to Los Angeles and the 2014 NHL Entry Draft just over two weeks away, it seems as good a time as any to return to the Buzz and once again cover the trials and tribulations of the Detroit Red Wings. Many thanks go out to both Eklund and Eric of HockeyBuzz for providing me yet again with this opportunity and welcoming me back to the fold.
It was only seven months ago since I was last seen writing here at HockeyBuzz, yet so much has transpired in that short time for the Winged Wheel. Despite a disappointing conclusion to the season with a quick playoff exit thanks to the President Trophy winning Boston Bruins, the season provided Wing fans and league observers with a glimpse at the bright future the Red Wings appear to have ahead of themselves.
Although the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are entering the final stages of their illustrious careers, the club finally saw extended evidence this past season at the NHL level (not by choice) of the fine development several of their organizational prospects have made.
Nyquist, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Glendening, Ouellet, Marchenko, Sproul, Almquist, Mrazek....and I haven’t even mentioned the fantastic season in junior that last year’s first round selection (that I correctly predicted!) Anthony Mantha produced.
As a result, this combination of talent both young and old, along with the wide-open landscape of the NHL’s Eastern Conference provides Detroit with a solid chance of improving upon their hasty first-round playoff departure.
With the aforementioned draft upcoming, possible trades are a certainty to take place and the Red Wings could surprise. Free agency follows as well and although the class is not exceptional, Ken Holland could find some ancillary pieces to increase the level of depth on the roster.
Most importantly going forward here at HockeyBuzz, my hope is to provide an active forum for Red Wing fans to passionately discuss the happenings of their favorite hockey club.
mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com