There are two constants in the Detroit sports world: the Lions floundering and the Red Wings flourishing. The last time the Lions won a championship, it wasn't even called the Super Bowl. One could make the argument that they were winning championships before it was cool, but let's not fool ourselves, they have been bad for a very, very long time. Where some teams seem to hit on all their drafts and free agent signings, the Lions run on about a 20% success rate. For every Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, there is a Joey Harrington and a Mike Williams. For every Barry Sanders (which there will only ever be one) there is a Javid Best, a Kevin Smith, a Kevin Jones, or a Mikel Leshoure. Every year, it seems like an eight win season is considered a success.
On the other hand, you have the Red Wings. The model of consistency not only in hockey, but in sports. They have been in the playoffs the past twenty four years. It was two or three years ago that they struggled to get into the playoffs. They ended up being the eight seed and getting bounced in the first round. They somehow find talent deep in the draft and develop them. That is one way the Wings have remained a constant in the post season. They don't rush their talent or draft picks. One reason I think Joey Harrington failed as the Lions quarterback was that he wasn't able to sit and watch the game. He didn't have the opportunity to watch and learn. The Wings players are able to do so. With rare exception do you see an actual, fresh in the league, rookie play for Detroit.
This is why Dylan Larkin being in the lineup since day one is such a big deal. The Wings don't do this. They don't have 19 year old kids playing in every sing game. The scouts and coaches see his ability. And he is playing so well so far. Lots of comparisons to some guy named Yzerman. It isn't just Larkin that should have Wings fans excited for the future. They have brought up most of their young talent in the past few years as the old veterans are starting to retire. Tatar and Nyquist are the next Datsyuk and Zetterberg in my opinion.
This youth movement in Detroit has had some growing pains. They seem outmatched from time to time against some of the bigger teams like Boston and Montreal. They go into team wide funks all at the same time. However, they have a coach that they all know well. They have a coach in Blashill the players know well. This was the perfect hire when Babcock left. Not only because he is an organization guy, but because it was just a few years ago that he was coaching the majority of the team.
It will be a few years before we start to see, hopefully, the next crop of young talent start to break through to the NHL. By that time, we should also start to see the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Kronwall start to retire and pass on the torch to the next generation. While they need to start making deeper runs into the playoffs, it is great to see that the team has little to no ill affect when it comes to players moving on. This is one of the advantages you see in hockey and baseball. You see teams draft and develop their talent. The way it should be. The NFL and NBA don't have a farm system or minor leagues. Athletes are drafted and if they don't get selected by a well run team, they struggle. They struggle and burn out. Then get called bums because, while highly talented, they were marketed as saviors of the team and cannot compete right away.
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