On July 18th, Red Wing coach Mike Babcock addressed the media about free agency, and one quote that stuck out was, “if you don't want to be coached, don't come here.” This isn’t the first time that shots have been fired in Detroit, but when the comments come from the top coach in the NHL, they mean a lot. The Red Wings failed to sign targeted players such as Christian Ehrhoff, Dan Boyle, and Matt Niskanen. The obvious need for defense in Motown was apparent last year, and not being able to attract anyone to come is troubling for this dynasty. The Wings then re-signed Kyle Quincey, who had a troubling year (and that’s putting it mildly). They also resigned Dan Cleary to a one year deal worth $1.5 mil. The kicker in this deal is that there is a million dollar bonus if Cleary plays 10 games this year. Even though things may look bleak for the Red Wings, I don’t see this as a problem. The Wings have built their dynasty through drafting well even though they don’t have low picks, and a bunch of prospects look like they can make the jump.
The most exciting prospect in the Wings system is Anthony Mantha of the Val d’Or Foreurs. In 57 games in the QMJHL, Mantha scored 57 goals and 63 assists for a grand total of 120 points, and then in 24 playoff games he scored 24 goals and 14 assists for 38 points. Mantha is an absolute beast standing at 6’5 and weighing 204 lbs. and having an amazing scoring touch to go with it. The tradition in Detroit is that prospects don’t get rushed into the NHL and usually start in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but Mantha’s natural ability might land him a top-6 spot on opening night. GM Ken Holland has said, “Yeah, we’re going to give him a real chance in camp. I think we’d be pretty stupid if we just gave him two exhibition games and then sent him to Grand Rapids.” If Mantha can showcase his scoring prowess and be able to show some defensive skill, he has a real chance of making the team.
Now the defensive prospects are a different story. It is well known that defensemen take longer to develop, but the Wings and their fans still hope a prospect can step up ASAP. The 2 defensemen that are on the verge of making the jump are Ryan Sproul and Xavier Ouellet. The first reaction I get from seeing these names are “at least it isn’t Quincey or Smith.” Ouellet played 70 games with Grand Rapids last year and amassed 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists). He was also called up to the Wings for 4 games. It seems like he still needs another year of development, but scouts say he is a gifted puck mover and is surprisingly good in the defensive zone as well. Ouellet seems like another solid Red Wing in the making. Ryan Sproul is an exciting offensive talent on the blue line. In 72 AHL games, Sproul scored 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points, and then posted 5 points in 10 games in the playoffs. He has greatly improved since the Wings drafted him. The one concern is his defensive game, but his coaches in the AHL have been working with him and have greatly improved upon it since juniors. These two prospects along with RFA Danny DeKeyser look to be the future blue line of the Wings, and the future looks bright.
The Red Wings are the pinnacle of excellence in the world of sports because they have done and continue to do everything right. They may be hitting a dry spell in free agency, but the farm looks great right now. The news of the new Red Wings Arena will help attract free agents, but by then their prospects will have taken center stage and make the Red Wings a serious contender again.
The most exciting prospect in the Wings system is Anthony Mantha of the Val d’Or Foreurs. In 57 games in the QMJHL, Mantha scored 57 goals and 63 assists for a grand total of 120 points, and then in 24 playoff games he scored 24 goals and 14 assists for 38 points. Mantha is an absolute beast standing at 6’5 and weighing 204 lbs. and having an amazing scoring touch to go with it. The tradition in Detroit is that prospects don’t get rushed into the NHL and usually start in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but Mantha’s natural ability might land him a top-6 spot on opening night. GM Ken Holland has said, “Yeah, we’re going to give him a real chance in camp. I think we’d be pretty stupid if we just gave him two exhibition games and then sent him to Grand Rapids.” If Mantha can showcase his scoring prowess and be able to show some defensive skill, he has a real chance of making the team.
Now the defensive prospects are a different story. It is well known that defensemen take longer to develop, but the Wings and their fans still hope a prospect can step up ASAP. The 2 defensemen that are on the verge of making the jump are Ryan Sproul and Xavier Ouellet. The first reaction I get from seeing these names are “at least it isn’t Quincey or Smith.” Ouellet played 70 games with Grand Rapids last year and amassed 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists). He was also called up to the Wings for 4 games. It seems like he still needs another year of development, but scouts say he is a gifted puck mover and is surprisingly good in the defensive zone as well. Ouellet seems like another solid Red Wing in the making. Ryan Sproul is an exciting offensive talent on the blue line. In 72 AHL games, Sproul scored 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points, and then posted 5 points in 10 games in the playoffs. He has greatly improved since the Wings drafted him. The one concern is his defensive game, but his coaches in the AHL have been working with him and have greatly improved upon it since juniors. These two prospects along with RFA Danny DeKeyser look to be the future blue line of the Wings, and the future looks bright.
The Red Wings are the pinnacle of excellence in the world of sports because they have done and continue to do everything right. They may be hitting a dry spell in free agency, but the farm looks great right now. The news of the new Red Wings Arena will help attract free agents, but by then their prospects will have taken center stage and make the Red Wings a serious contender again.