Detroit Red Wings Two Signings Show Promise
By Joe Chapp
The Detroit Red Wings haven’t been a free agent destination of any type in recent years. Since the signing of Marian Hossa, Detroit has struck out on prominent free agents. One was to wonder did Ken Holland lose his ‘touch’, or did the free agents just not want to play for coach Mike Babcock?
A few years ago, Babcock made the quote “If they don’t want to be coached, don’t come here”, and since that very day the Red Wings haven’t got very good free agents. Detroit was in transition which, could’ve turned a lot of free agents away, because who really wants to play for a team that is in the midst of a mini-rebuild.
Detroit has in recent years adopted the youth movement, and in ways it’s beginning to pay off. The team could’ve won game seven against Tampa, but didn’t. Detroit had to do something to give the Red Wings blue line and added a jolt.
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Lots of trade talks was surrounded by Dion Phaneuf who had an impact on the offensive end. Detroit needed the shot badly on the blue line, and when talks broke down between Toronto and Detroit, you knew there’s a different plan with Holland.
Holland is an outside the box thinker, many questioned what he was doing in years where he stood pat at the trade deadline and ever so quiet free agencies. Holland’s plan was to get Detroit back in the situation where they were before, It made zero sense to take money on, or sign free agents when you weren’t entirely sure what the future will hold for the kids.
Promise shown in the names on the Red Wings already such in Gus Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Thomas Jurco, Riley Sheahan, and PetrMrazek. Not to even mention the abundance of talent down in Grand Rapids with Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Temmu Pulkkinen and Anthony Mantha they have, the future is a bright one for the Red Wings.
Yesterday, Detroit signed Mike Green and Brad Richards, players who are talented and can help the Red Wings win in the here and now. However, one thing is certain, Holland still believes in the kids that are coming up through the system.
If anything last year proved. It proved the the team is ready to play at a high level. After all the team Detroit lost to went on to play for the Stanley Cup. Detroit’s in the position where if they can play for the Stanley Cup, they needed a right-handed offensive defenseman and they finally got it with Green.
Green said of coming to Detroit;
"“Everything was very positive on his end. When it came down to today, I was pretty confident that if there was an offer from Detroit, I would move forward. We really didn’t take advantage of any other offers. I was set in Detroit.”"
Richards also spoke on the matter;
“They’ve got a lot of young talent, great leadership,” he said. “I watched their Game 7 this year, they probably deserved to win that game. I’ve always been a fan of watching Datsyuk and Zetterberg play. You just look at that, and I think we’ve got a good chance here.”
The Red Wings have more forwards then they should at this point in time. Holland said. “I’ll have to trade somebody, but I’m in no rush to do so. Right now we have a lot of depth. We’re dealing from a position of strength. We’re going to hang onto our young players, and they’ll provide us depth.”
The Detroit Red Wings are gunning for a Stanley Cup, It’s about time. Holland is looking at the dynamics to successful playoff teams that’s depth.They are looking up right now, and Holland’s plan is working once again.
Next: Red Wings have busy first day of free agency