Red Wings steal Avalanche blueprint in bold bid to become next NHL powerhouse
Photo credit: Paul Sancya / The Associated Press
The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly stealing the Colorado Avalanche's team-building blueprint in a bold and strategic move aimed at transforming themselves into the NHL's next powerhouse.
The Red Wings haven't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 NHL season.
Red Wings have reportedly stolen the Avalanche roster blueprint.
Nicholas Giannone from The Hockey Writers reports that for years, Red Wings' fans have witnessed their once-dominant franchise gradually transition from a perennial powerhouse into a long-term rebuild.
There have been moments of optimism, promising draft picks, ambitious offseason moves, and occasional playoff appearances, but nothing that signals a full return to contention. Now, as the team heads into another season under GM Steve Yzerman, a pressing question looms: What exactly is the vision for the future, and where is this team ultimately headed?
Are the Red Wings following the same path as the Avalanche, a patient, calculated rebuild that involved stockpiling elite talents before ultimately exploding into a championship-caliber powerhouse?
"The Avalanche tanked hard and smart. From 2013 to 2019, they picked in the top 10 five times. Out of that came franchise players like Nathan MacKinnon (1st overall, 2013), Cale Makar (4th, 2017), and Mikko Rantanen (10th, 2015). They nailed their picks. And when the time came, those picks carried them." -Giannone
Detroit's trajectory? It falls somewhere in the middle. Players like Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Simon Edvinsson look like foundational pieces, but none came as top overall picks.
Prospects such as Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, and Axel Sandin Pellikka are still works in progress. Steve Yzerman has taken a calculated, patient approach, prioritizing long-term upside over flashy draft-day moves. Unlike Colorado, Detroit has never fully hit rock bottom, making their rebuild more gradual and less dramatic.
Colorado, on the other hand, took a patient approach. They waited for their young core to mature before making key moves, acquiring players like Devon Toews, Nazem Kadri, and Darcy Kuemper through savvy trades that complemented their foundation rather than rushed it.
"Yzerman has walked a deliberate line. He's made his team better each year without sacrificing future flexibility. Alex DeBrincat was the big swing. Patrick Kane was the high-upside rental. John Gibson is now the answer in the net. But none of it screams 'win-now.'
Detroit hasn't gambled everything on a single year. That's not the Yzerman way. But if the Red Wings are following the Avalanche path, the leap has to come soon. Patience is smart, but only if it ends in results." -Giannone
Detroit hasn't gambled everything on a single year. That's not the Yzerman way. But if the Red Wings are following the Avalanche path, the leap has to come soon. Patience is smart, but only if it ends in results." -Giannone
The Avalanche laid their groundwork through elite drafting and steady, patient development.
At this moment, the Red Wings assembled key pieces and resisted impulsive decisions. But the grace period is quickly fading. The time for patience is nearing its end. Now, they must show the hockey world exactly who they are.
Will the Red Wings mirror Colorado's steady ascent, building patiently until their young core peaks in unison and dominates the league? Or will they take a page from the Blues' playbook, riding a wave of grit, depth, and just the right amount of chaos to break through when it matters most?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28 | 13 ANSWERS Red Wings steal Avalanche blueprint in bold bid to become next NHL powerhouse Will the Detroit Red Wings finally make the playoffs this upcoming NHL season? | ||
| yes | 3 | 23.1 % |
| no | 10 | 76.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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