Quote:
Originally Posted by Viqsi
He pretty much has been in general. Not by all Wings fans, tho.
The Red Wings fanbase is presently getting embarrassed by a vocal subgroup that is unshakably convinced that some subset of Nyquist/Tartar/Jurco/Smith/etc. WILL be the next underrated unheralded NHL superstars a la Datsyuk/Zetterberg and those who don't get that far and Helm WILL be the next irreplacable roleplaying lifers a la Draper/Drake/etc. for no particular reason beyond "that's just how it works with the Red Wings", and that folks aren't immediately agreeing because of persecution/ignorance/ThanksGaryAss/whatever. The media-driven mystique of "Detroit always drafts stars in late rounds" sure as heck isn't helping (remember when Ericsson was going to be a regular Norris contender?).
So far, however, manifestations of this insanity have been limited largely to "we're still a Cup contender and the playoffs are a guarantee". More moderate and sensible Wings fans have been unable to address this in any comprehensive fashion, as they've been busy trying to fend off the equally insane vultures from other teams who maniacally insist that this is finally Detroit's time to be a doomed failure because OMG OLD PEOPLE PRESENTED BY AMWAY.
The "we are NHL gods" nutcases have taken an unprecedented step with this one, though. It's rather painful to see. I'd feel bad for the reasonable Wings fans, except, well, they're Wings fans.  |
As a Wings fan and a realist let me address it all. The Wings are no longer a stanley cup contender and there are in danger of missing the playoffs this year due to the weakest defense in decades.
As for the prospects we're all hoping they turn into stars some might or they may not. They have a pretty good prospect pool one of their deepest in years but there are problems within the pool. The defense depth is weaker and most are far away from the NHL. The forwards are a mix bunch some high skill but small size and some bigger ones that arent peforming that well. In goal Mrazek looks like a stud prospect but it's early for that as this his only his first AHL season. Smith will probably be a good offensive defensmen but his defensive game is suspect. Nyquist looks like a 2nd liner or possible 1st liner. Star probably not but dependable player like Filppula is more likely. No one really knows how they will all turn out. Jarnkrok has tons of talent and may remind people of a young Zetterberg but that is yet to be determined he has to still gain lots of muscle and adapt to NA ice so who knows.
I would love Bogosian on Detroit have wanted him on my team for years. At the very least he'll be a depenable 3rd defensemen for many years but his upside is top pairing and he'll probably get there in time. Trouba looks absolutely phenomenal and reminds me alot of Konstantinov. Winnipeg would be smart to keep them both. But if they decide to move Bogosian it wont be until Trouba is in the NHL and has established himself (which wont be long)