Detroit Red Wings Lose Martin Frk to the Carolina Hurricanes
By Mike Rizzo
The Detroit Red Wings put Martin Frk on waivers and today the Carolina Hurricanes picked him up. This is more evidence of my frustration with Ken Holland.
The Detroit Red Wings once again put a young prospect on waivers and, I know all of you will be shocked, but he got picked up. The Carolina Hurricanes, who are coached by former assistant Red Wings coach Bill Peters, picked up Martin Frk from waivers.
Hearing there may have been as many as three waiver claims on Frk but CAR had priority based on last season's final standings.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 9, 2016
THREE teams put in a waiver claim for Frk, who just turned 23. Remember, the Red Wings lost another prospect to the Hurricanes two years ago.
Andrej Nestrasil was also 23-years old when the Hurricanes picked him up. The Red Wings have been living in mediocrity for a few years because of decisions like these.
Instead of giving young guys like Frk and Nestrasil a chance on the third or fourth line the Red Wings decide to give those spots to Steve Ott, Drew Miller and last year Joakim Andersson.
As fellow Detroit Jock City writer Eli Kaplan correctly wrote, the Red Wings are older and less relevant under Ken Holland.
I’m not saying that Frk and Nestrasil are going to be stars but with Steve Ott and Drew Miller both in their mid 30s we know what they are. Give the young guys a chance to grow and play.
The Red Wings overripen prospects and this is a major risk of that philosophy. It’s just not that though.
Jeff Blashill already hinted after last night’s game that Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou will be sent to Grand Rapids which shouldn’t surprise anyone. Ken Holland believes that veteran players are the answer and he trusts them more than the young guys.
I think there is only so much a prospect can learn in the minors. I think the Red Wings need to give the kids a chance. Every year Holland keeps a Mantha, Athanasiou, etc. in the minors is another year that they get wasted in the minors. We all know what Drew Miller is. We all know what Steve Ott is. We all knew what Joakim Andersson was.
I know the unknown is scary but the Red Wings are a borderline playoff team anyway, just bring up Mantha, Athanasiou and should’ve kept Frk. Put Miller and Ott on waivers. Let the young guys play and have their ups and downs.
Young players are going to struggle and get their lumps but long term it will be worth it. I hate to be negative, but the Red Wings are not cup contenders.
I’m beginning to think this playoff streak is doing more harm than good for the Red Wings. It’s my opinion that was the reason the Red Wings traded prospect Calle Jarnkrok to the Nashville Predators for 34-year old David Legwand.
They will have no trouble of selling out games for the next two seasons. Every fan wants to go to a game this year as its the last season of Joe Louis Arena. Next year fans will pack the brand new Little Caesers arena.
That is a two year window for Ken Holland and the Red Wings management to give Mantha, Athanasiou etc. a chance to play and grow as NHL players. Give those guys the next two years and I know this team long term will benefit from that.
Every year that passes is another year that the Red Wings will lose a player like Frk and Nestrasil. Look at teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Tampa Bay Lightning and others. They have taken their lumps and developed their young guys and now they’re perennial cup contenders.
Speed kills in the new NHL and for whatever reason the Red Wings don’t seem to either understand it or adapt to it.