Ive debated with wings fans a lot over the years as a Sens fan. And I wont dunk on them like I could, because I actually do feel bad for them. Especially if they dont get a top again this year.
I will say this, two things can be right at the same time. First, they have been very unlucky in the draft lottery (as we have, but they got it even worse).
Second, the Yzerplan has always sucked and its mostly because they didnt draft well at all, imo. Not before him and not after hes been there in charge. It feels likes hes building the CBJ lol. Who and what are they waiting for in the pipeline lol, there is no hope.
They have missed on a staggering amount of picks since 2017, and had no surprise breakout players (like a Batherson or Peterka). No assets that turned into core players (like a Norris or Tage Thompson). No pleasant surprises at all. That is the answer to everything.
They also didnt make good use of their best assets when they had the chance (peak Larkin, Bertuzzi, Zadina) and made excuses why they were at a disadvantage when compared to other rebuilding teams like the Sens, who traded everyone worth something. But instead we debated here on Hf if Bertuzzi was as good as Tkachuk back in the good old covid days......The timing is all off now on their rebuild, is the point Im making.
I like Buffalo's roster and young players soooooooo much more than Detroit's, and yet Im not sure who gets better first. Detroit still has the power to attract mid tier players and doesnt feel fully tainted yet. But I cant see how this gets better for them until it gets a bit worse first. They need multiple impact forwards first (young stars) to have a legitimate future, imo.
