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Red Wings Have Opportunity to Change Culture
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The post Red Wings Have Opportunity to Change Culture appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Among the newest Detroit Red Wings, Keegan Kolesar was discussing his impending arrival in this self-proclaimed Hockeytown.
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"Well, I'm not coming in and trying to change the true identity of the Detroit Red Wings," Kolesar said.
Actually, Keegan, that's exactly what the brass of the Red Wings would like you to do.
If ever there was an NHL team in need of a culture shift, it's the Red Wings.
Yes, there was a time when this franchise was the envy of the NHL. Every other team could only wish that they could do it the way the Red Wings did it.
However, that was a long time ago.
The passage of time is relentless. It's also much faster than we realize.
It's been 14 years since Nicklas Lidstrom last wore the winged wheel jersey. A decade has passed since Pavel Datsyuk worked his magic in Motown, eight years since Henrik Zetterberg announced his retirement, and seven seasons have elapsed since Niklas Kronwall kronwalled anyone.
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Those players were the last remnants of Detroit's most recent Stanley Cup win in 2008, homegrown talents who were all part of the core of that championship squad.
Those were the days, my friend. And those days are no more.
The current Red Wings are a rudderless ship in desperate need of direction.
Red Wings in Dire Need of a Cultural Adjustment
If new arrivals want to come to Detroit and change the culture of the team, the only answer from anyone associated with the club should be, 'yes, please.'
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman finds himself in the unique position of being able to help engineer that cultural shift. Captain Dylan Larkin, the team leader, wants out. He's requested a trade.
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When the time of Larkin's departure arrives, expect a seismic shift in the way that this club operates.
The only logical choice to follow Larkin as captain is defenseman Moritz Seider . He's a no-nonsense, let's get at it and get after it kind of guy.
There's been speculation about a country club atmosphere within the Detroit dressing room. We don't know if that's 100% true, or if Larkin can be blamed for it if it does exist.
What we do know is that, as captain of the team, rightly or wrongly, he wears it. It's Larkin who's been left to stand in front of everyone and explain the team's annual failure to make the playoffs.
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Outsiders View Detroit as a Soft Team
Players take their lead from the captain. From the outside, the Wings are viewed as soft, easy to play against.
That needs to change pronto.
Players like Kolesar and fellow newcomer Viktor Arvidsson can get that party started. Both play a hard, unforgiving game. They make opponents pay the price.
"I've always felt Detroit is a team that likes to skate it in and pass around, and maybe that's an element that I can bring that, you know, keeps people on their toes," Kolesar said.
On top of that, Kolesar is a Stanley Cup winner, and Arvidsson a two-time Cup finalist. That carries gravitas in an NHL locker room.
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"I'm going to bring a competitive aspect of the game and try to be a role model for the younger guys, and just bring some leadership," Arvidsson said.
Any cultural shift they can help create would be most welcome. And much-needed.
The post Red Wings Have Opportunity to Change Culture appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
