By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
It was a dominant performance in every way, from shots on goal to legitimate scoring chances.
And has been the case for the better part of the past five years, the final result was oh-so-painfully predictable.
Another playoff game lost by one goal.
Another season ended in the first round.
Red Wings fans near and far knew this was coming. From the time the team backed into the playoffs, until that fateful goal with just minutes remaining in Game 5, this was a flawed team from the top on down.
Sure, the Wings lost three games in this series by a total of three goals.
And that’s the frustrating and telling part of what needs to happen next.
Mike Illitch went bold last fall, letting Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski go about an hour (almost) after the 2015 MLB trade deadline.
Just after Dowbrowski revamped the Tigers with prospects, mind you.
It’s time to do the same with Wings GM Ken Holland.
There’s a certain bit of pain in typing that sentence.
Holland is the man who essentially introduced me to what the NHL could be. Growing up on the Red Wings in the early-to-mid 90’s, the Wings went from laughing stock of the NHL to one of the best and most consistent franchises in professional sports.
From 1995 through 2009, mostly under Holland’s control, the guys in red and white went the Stanley Cup Finals six times, and had a parade down Woodward four of them.
But staleness has crept into the franchise, the decision making and, most importantly, the roster itself.
That blame has to fall on Holland.
This was a flawed team all year, one that struggled to score, struggled to defend, and if not for the goaltending prowess much of the year, one that would have been outside of the playoffs looking in.
But now, after five quick games, it is.
Which brings those making the toughest decisions to one that should be painfully clear, even if it’s not as simple as making a wish and blowing out candles.
It’s time for Steve Yzerman’s homecoming.
He left the franchise as its most revered player not named Mr. Hockey.
He went from being the Captain to working in the front office to taking the GM job with the same team that’s ousted Detroit in consecutive springs.
And while the margins have been slim, the difference in rosters have not.
Yzerman has put together a winner in his time in Tampa Bay. He’s put together a winner at the Olympics as the headman with Canada.
It’s what he does. It’s what he knows.
Holland has kept the Wings in the playoff conversation (for 25 years overall), but some decisions since the last title in 2008 have plagued this team moving forward.
Marian Hossa?
Stephen Weiss?
Failing to land a prominent free agent since, well, Marian Hossa?
And while judging after the fact is way too easy, looking at some of the contracts the Wings will be handicapped with moving forward— Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard, Gustav Nyquist —leaves one only wondering if the best days are years away.
Not to mention what Pavel Datsyuk’s possible departure would do to the 2016-17 salary cap.
Putting the blame of under performance or misfortune solely on Holland’s lap would be unfair, but in professional sports, life simply isn’t fair.
So bring back Yzerman, any way necessary.
An open checkbook? Sure.
Total and absolute control? Without a doubt.
This won’t be easy, as he is likely to watch his Lighting advance deep into the playoffs, thanks to many of his own decisions.
But there is still a bond this town has with Stevey Y, and one Yzerman has with the town.
His family still lives here.
The arena the Wings play at is on a street named after him.
However it has to happen, it has to happen.
Letting Holland go would be bold, and likely not easy for an Illitch family whose legacy is defined as much by loyalty as it is winning.
But last fall Dombrowski cleaned out his office because being really good, because coming close, wasn’t good enough.
If the Wings are to take that next step, are to go from being pretty good, or pretty promising, to contending for the championships Hockeytown craves, being bold trumps being loyal.
“Their best players outplayed our best players,” Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said bluntly after the loss.
And consider this, Tampa’s best offensive threat and best defenseman were out due to injury.
Zetterberg went on to talk about how close the games and the series was, talking about another year of lost opportunity.
“They find a way to win, we don’t,” he said shaking his head. “That’s something we have to address.”
From the top on down.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
