The Detroit Red Wings made a serious playoff push last season, In the end, they missed the playoffs by one point to the Washington Capitals. This season they are three points out of the second wild-card spot and it will again come down to the last few games.
The similarity? They hit a slide about the same time last season and that was the reason they missed the playoffs. History is repeating itself and not in a good way.
Red Wings need answers quick
Detroit has been in this situation before. They have also seemingly thrown in the towel before. Last season, they fought hard until the final whistle. This season, they seem to lack a certain something because it seems as players cannot commit to playing the full 60 minutes until the finish line. Not saying players are giving up but some players are not giving the same energy and commitment they did at the beginning of the season.
Who is to blame?
When it comes to this plenty of blame will be thrown around but who truly deserves it? Mind you, the Red Wings are still in the race for a wild-card spot. However, that lack of motion seems that they have lost some hope, to a point, and want to get the season over with. Is the blame on former Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde and not figuring it out as a first-time coach?
Is it general manager Steve Yzerman and not upgrading this team in the offseason or at the trade deadline? Is it the players, who at times cannot find chemistry with certain linemates?
Detroit is capable of going on a winning streak and getting back into this as they have done this before. However, what if this is it and they miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season, the second-longest streak in NHL history? Do they go back to the drawing board or tear it down again?
Unlike some teams, Detroit has the foundation to build around
Captain Dylan Larkin is the leader and one of the hardest-working players in the league. Forward Lucas Raymond is one of the best young players in the league and is a leader at a young age. Defenseman Moritz Seider is a man amongst boys and is the cornerstone of the defense.
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson has shown tremendous growth on the blue line in his first full season. They have several great prospects in their pipeline , most notably goaltender Sebastian Cossa, forward Carter Mazur, and defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellekka, who are starts before they are on NHL ice.
They have young stars. The organization has been successful at the NHL Draft. But something is missing and that is depth. Depth at forward and defense has caused this team great failure when it comes to competing for a playoff spot late in the season. Are they missing an elite scorer like Mitch Marner, who will be a free agent after this season? Do they need another defenseman or two to have an elite defense?
Something is keeping this team from serious playoff contention. Someone has to be held accountable and something needs to happen this offseason, regardless of how this season ends. Acquiring a stud offensive player, two middle-pairing defenseman, and reloading the prospect pool should be at the top of the list. They are still in the playoff race this season, but the hill may be too high to climb as they are running out of time and too much needs to go in their favor.