Not exactly sure if this is what Gniwder is reffering to, but at 8 seasons this current Detroit Red Wings team, is in the one of the longest all time post-season appearances droughts. Let's not kid ourselves here.
While i largely attribute this to Holland, it's still fair to start holding Yzerman atleast somewhat accountable.
Yzerman is moving the team in the right direction IMO, but i fear that the team might still be 2 seasons out of being a play-off team. The reason i think this is because the team relied on several UFA-vet signings to come close last year, and with more rookies making the team. The team may initially struggle as these rookies learn the ropes in the big league.
Eventually we'll become a play-off team, i don't see it any other way. By then Larkin probbaly is past his prime, and i'm unsure if it's truly a Stanley Cup contending team. Which sucks after struggling for so long, and yes i'm fully aware that some of it comes down to luck.
I don't understand the metric, from the standpoint that whether the current rebuild ends up as a success or a failure has nothing to do with how long the playoff drought goes.
For example, had Yzerman traded for Malkin last season and the Wings squeaked into the playoffs with Geno's help... Since the drought is over, everything is roses now?
Hell no. For a rebuild to really matter, it needs two things:
* Several good young players playing a significant role in the success of the team
* Continued growth (internal and external) once a team hits playoff status, to be able to truly contend for a championship
I want to get back in the playoffs ASAP. But regardless of whether that's this season or not for another year or two, whether Yzerman is a success or failure as a GM in this town will be based on what their top half dozen prospects become and the degree to which he pulls the right strings to supplement that talent for postseason success.
Is it frustrating that they haven't reached that next milestone yet? Yes. But it's not indicative of whether the rebuild will succeed or fail.