from Jamie Samuelsen at the Detroit Free Press,
You look at the Detroit Red Wings. You look at the division. You look at the conference. And you realize this season may bear a strong resemblance to last season. There will be pain. There will be losses. And barring a ton of things going right, there will be a third consecutive year without making it to the postseason.
And that’s fine. The Red Wings need players, and a first-round exit in the playoffs would benefit this team less than adding another top prospect. The motto “Lose for Hughes” (Michigan product Jack Hughes) has gained steam already among Red Wings fans.