Unbeknownst to many Detroit fans, the Red Wings have been in full development
mode since 2014. Until recently, the dirty "rebuild" word was never thrown
around as much as it currently is. Rebuilding is not uncommon to any sports
franchise but the Red Wings fandom today doesn't remember (or were not alive)
for the last rebuild. I wasn't and I highly doubt many others were.
Consequently, we can't grasp the magnitude of the process going on behind the
scenes.

Ken Holland's plan has been unfolding these last four seasons, slowly but
surely. Where are we now though? The question is a common one among the
Holland-themed slander and frustrated fans. Well, we're in phase two.
Approaching the 2018-19 season, Holland's rebuild plan will be reaching nearly
full maturation in hopes of creating another record-setting franchise culture
in Detroit. So strap in and allow me to elaborate.A Little Red Wings';
Backstory

This may come as a shock to some, but the Wings have been struggling for a few
seasons now. In case you missed it, we broke our playoff streak in the 2016-17
season. Fans were pampered with one of the longest playoff streaks in sports
history and thankfully, didn't flip over any cars as a result of their upset.
The team was clearly struggling to make an impact on the ice and were
consistently outskated.Jeff Blashill (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

It was a known issue to the Wings' upper management prior to that unfortunate
elimination. Since 2014, Ken Holland and the loyal Red Wings staff have been
assessing the situation. We had aging players, some of the 2008 victors had
retired, and many were ravaged by injuries all season long. The writing was on
the wall and an under-the-table type development plan was implemented. That
plan called for patience and draft picks, "We need to draft. We need to
develop. We need to have patience," Holland told The Detroit News. Simple and
to the point, that plan went into full swing during the 2014 summer.Phase One -
 Unload Bad Contracts

A well-known and frustrating fact is that Detroit has signed some less than
cap-friendly long-term contracts. After extending Franzen's contract, "The
Mule" became a member of the Long Term Injury Reserve club and will remain so
until his contract expires after the 2020-21 season. Many questioned the
long-term extension of Justin Abdelkader as well, coming in at a cap hit of
$4.25 million until 2022-23. Henrik Zetterberg, current Wings' Captain, is a
hit of almost $7 million annually until 2020-21 - or until his back gives out
completely. Last but not least, Danny DeKeyser has about $5 million tied up
until 2021-22.

Clearly, the first step of the process back in 2014 until now, was to unload
those bad contracts. Upon signing, of course, Holland and the team had the
utmost faith in the vivacity and game of the players - but not all have
measured up to their expectation. Unfortunately for the Red Wings, they're
strapped in. Over the last four seasons, however, the contracts have been
slowly dying out, leaving only the above mentioned retaining a stranglehold on
team's pocketbook.

Detroit was unfortunate enough to retain Datsyuk's salary for a short time upon
 his return to Russia to play in the KHL. The Wings have since been released
from that, leaving some breathing room - however little.Pavel Datsyuk was
released from the Red Wings to join the KHL prior to the conclusion of his
contract with Detroit. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Phase One of this grand scheme has been happening over the last four seasons.
Letting those contracts die-out and trying not to get tied up in additional bad
 contracts, the Wings have been quietly trying to accomplish the seemingly
impossible - develop while being playoff contenders. Holland told the Detroit
News, "We're trying to be a playoff team that competes with the best teams in
the division and conference and at the same time behind the scenes were trying
to draft and develop the next generation of Red Wings players who are going to
help us be a playoff team every year going forward."Entering Phase 1.5 - Draft
Picks & Leadership

We're almost to Phase Two of Holland's grand plan for a rebuild. While waiting
for that coveted cap space, the Wings have been negotiating the wallpaper off
the walls for draft picks, contract extensions for the youngsters and
developing their current talent for leadership.

The current roster has a good pool of affordable and talented youngsters who
have been working hard to prove their worth. Holland and the coaching staff are
 ever attentive to these young-guns vying for the chance and are developing
them under the veteran leadership. Forcing them to work for their spot on the
line is something Holland and the rest of the staff have long held as a key
factor in development, "I don't believe in entitlement," Holland told the
Detroit FreePress, "I don't believe in handing young people jobs."

With the likes of Anthony Mantha and Andreas Anthanasiou being re-signed, and
hopefully Dylan Larkin soon, Red Wings staff are working hard to ensure they
are being properly trained by the hockey-smart minds of Vanek, Kronwall,
Zetterberg and a host of others. In time, their jobs will belong to the young
ones.Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY
Sports)Phase Two - Draft, Develop & Draft Some More

Holland has become a wizard with draft negotiations over the last few decades.
Talking and trading his way into ten picks this last season, and ten guaranteed
 for the 2019 draft, none can deny his way with the draft. Having served the
Wings' organization for more than 20 years now, Holland has learned his way
around the draft table and holds the same philosophy today as he did years ago,
 "I've been with the Red Wings...since 1983...and the work at the draft table,
the work of developing players - set us up for the last decade."

Holland ruffled feathers when he swapped crowd-favorite Tomas Tatar for a
first-round pick, but that pick resulted in the Wings acquiring potential-star,
 Joe Veleno. The decision to move Petr Mrazek was made in exchange for 2018 and
 2019 conditional picks. The Wings also recently traded Grand Rapids'
defenseman, Robbie Russo, for a 2019 conditional pick. Holland is continuing to
 stockpile picks - and that's the plan.Joseph Veleno, Detroit Red Wings, 2018
NHL Draft, Dallas, TX, June 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

While accumulating hoards of picks, the new draftees have been spending periods
 of time in college, their prospective international leagues, or with the Grand
 Rapids Griffins (AHL). Depending on where they pull the prospects from, the
Wings have bought themselves a few years of time to develop and monitor their
growth. While a few will likely grace the halls of the Little Caesars Arena
this coming season, several will remain in rigorous training to await their
time.

Entering the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Holland will once again, have a slew of
picks to use and another overflowing talent pool to choose from. All the while,
 the previous draftees are getting set for the next move up the development
ladder. This phase is designed to create a steady flow of talent for several
seasons as the Wings hit their full stride ideally in the 2019-2020 season
(respectively).What Detroit Fans Should Expect in 2018-19 Season

In case the fans weren't really paying attention, this is a good point to
start.

This season will be very hard. Yes, it';s not going to be a cakewalk and our
beloved Zadina won't carry us to a Stanley Cup quite yet. It will be
productive, however. The conditioning is getting harder, the game is getting
faster, and the competition is fiercer than ever. However, with the fine
balance being created within the existing lines and young skaters being given
more responsibility, this season will prove to be a fruitful one.

Fans should get ready for a bit of a bumpy ride but it will have a happy
ending. We may not have a shot at the playoffs, however grand that would be,
but our new draftees and an overwhelming amount of players in Grand Rapids will
 get their chance. There will be many new faces taking the ice throughout the
year as guys play for their spot.

You may see Filip Hronek make an appearance or Joe Hicketts come back on the
scene. Evgeny Svechnikov may get his chance at last if he improves his
consistency. As the season progresses, there will be a rise in the youth - and
that's a good thing.Evgeny Svechnikov (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)

So when you're frustrated that Kenny doesn't seem to know what's doing or the
lines are a little bizarre, just embrace it. The team has been in incognito
development for longer than we've been aware and their plan will come to full
fruition soon. In the meantime, support your team, follow the prospect's
development, and get ready for a wild ride.

The post Red Wings Development 2018-19: What to Expect appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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