The Detroit Red Wings have faced an arduous rebuilding process under the tutalege of GM Steve Yzerman, who didn't have much to work with upon his return to the organization to take over from Ken Holland in April 2019.
Detroit hasn't played beyond the 82nd game of the regular season since three years prior that point in April 2016, which was the rookie campaign of current team captain Dylan Larkin.
It was also the final NHL season for Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk, who was only a fresh-faced rookie on the legendary 2001-02 Red Wings roster.
Datsyuk, who would return to his native Russia to finish out his playing career in the months that followed Detroit's most recent postseason appearance, believes that the Red Wings' rebuilding efforts may have been hampered from the get-go thanks to their 25-year run of playoff hockey.
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“The Red Wings were at the top for a long time, winning many titles, so it’s understandable that their rebuild is taking more time than usual,” Datsyuk recently explained to RG.org. “They say a rebuild takes about seven years, but since Detroit was so high up, the road back to the top takes even longer."
"Now Detroit has a great arena, which is already a big plus," Datsyuk continued. "Perhaps what the team lacks is standout leaders – but that’s true not only for Detroit, it applies to hockey in general. Players are maturing more slowly these days, and some never mature at all, staying teenagers forever."
The good news for the Red Wings is that their core players consisting of Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider have not only matured, but have blossomed into bonafide NHL players. Additionally, the Red Wings are now getting key contributions from the likes of Marco Kasper, Simon Edvinsson, and Albert Johansson.
While multiple NHL Insiders have expressed doubt on whether the Red Wings will ultimately experience postseason hockey at Little Caesars Arena for the first time this season, Datsyuk has a far more optimistic outlook.
In Datsyuk's mind, not only will the Red Wings break out of their playoff drought this spring, but will return to the Conference Final for what would be the first time in 16 years.
"Here’s my prediction – Detroit will reach the conference final," Datsyuk said.
Detroit last reached the Conference Final in 2009, facing current Red Wings forward Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks, and defeating them in five games to punch their ticket to a second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hockeytown is hungrier than ever for postseason hockey, and it would be nothing short of an unbeatable atmosphere in the Motor City if the Red Wings not only secured a playoff berth, but also won multiple rounds.
Fans could proudly say they heard it first from the Magic Man himself.
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