For what it’s worth, his projected Net Rating to start the season isn’t far off from where Victor Hedman was at the same age, though that’s still the high end of his expected trajectory. He should get there and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Seider jump to that level as soon as this season - but it’s also not a guarantee. He’s a very strong puck-mover who defends his line well - but there’s still work to be done with his ability to create offense. His rookie season was promising in that regard and after a rough start to Year 2, he got back on track in the second half. He has all the tools to be a Tier 2 defenseman, he just has to put the package together. That’s a fine belief to have, and there’s little doubt Seider in particular gets there. That’s based on the last two offseasons spent moving away from the league’s basement where franchise talent is usually found. The closest players Detroit has to franchise talent are Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider and the Red Wings seem content with that. Not right now anyway.Īll of that can change, but time is not their friend. The Red Wings don’t have players on the franchise level. It’s contention - getting to the level of the Colorados and the Tampa Bays of the world - where Detroit is behind the curve. Just being a run-of-the-mill playoff team isn’t the goal. The three exceptions are Carolina, Vegas and the Rangers - teams with a couple of secondary stars in Tier 3, strong depth, and in the Rangers’ case a bonafide elite goalie. Those are the 12 teams most likely to contend for the Stanley Cup this year and all but three have at least two franchise players. Toronto: Auston Matthews (1B), Mitch Marner (2A) Tampa Bay: Nikita Kucherov (2A), Brayden Point (2B), Victor Hedman (2C) Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby (2A), Erik Karlsson (2C) New Jersey: Jack Hughes (1C), Nico Hischier (2C) We’re talking about the Tier 1 and Tier 2 players from our Top 125 players list, players who tend to drive the league’s best teams towards contention.īoston: David Pastrnak (1C), Charlie McAvoy (2A), Brad Marchand (2C)Ĭolorado: Nathan MacKinnon (1B), Cale Makar (1B), Mikko Rantanen (2A)ĭallas: Jason Robertson (2A), Miro Heiskanen (2B), Roope Hintz (2C)Įdmonton: Connor McDavid (1A), Leon Draisaitl (1B)įlorida: Matthew Tkachuk (1C), Aleksander Barkov (2B)

The league’s best teams have difference-making talents that move the needle in a serious way.

That’s all well and good, but ignores the biggest problem with the Red Wings as currently constructed: the lack of an elite core, which is what makes this feel like a make-or-break year.

A slow and steady trajectory where free-agent additions are meant to foster a more competitive environment and eliminate a culture of losing is just fine. Forget what happened before Yzerman arrived and check the transcript: the Red Wings have steadily improved over the four seasons while accumulating young talent. From the inside, hope remains eternal.ĭetroit’s fan base still believes they have a top 10 front office, one that has actually only been in place for four seasons. “I think guys will be excited to be there, I’m excited to go but it’s something that we have two big hockey games over there.That’s the reality check from the outside, anyway. I guess we gotta enjoy it while we can, but we have to be smart and be ready for those two over there and come away with some points over there. That’s really the focus for me going over there. “We got two big games there,” Larkin said. For him, it’s first and foremost a business trip. There’s only one item on Larkin’s agenda, and that would be earning a pair of victories. Forward Robby Fabbri has been to Stockholm before and is anxious to again sample the culture and of course, Swedis meatballs.

For Lucas Raymond, Detroit’s only current Swede, he’ll be getting perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play real games in front of friends and family in his homeland. Certainly, the journey means something different to every player.

Steve yzerman quits detroit red wings