The Streak. It is the one thing every Detroit sports fan knows well, and is one of the ultimate bragging rights across the National Hockey League. The Detroit Red Wings have qualified for the playoffs for the past 25 years in a row. They have played in the playoffs for every year I have been alive, and then some (I am currently 22 years old). They currently tie for the third longest playoff streak in NHL history, trailing only the Boston Bruins of 1967 to ’96 and the Chicago Blackhawks of ’69 to ’97. The Streak is nothing short of greatness from an organization -- currently the best run organization in all of sports – and it is something all those who don the Winged Wheel proudly proclaim in any argument against any other fan.
However, if you are like me – a life-long hockey fan and die-hard Red Wings fan – something may not seem right. This streak is magnificent, and I am so happy that I was born a supporter of the best hockey team of this generation, but one thing lingers on my mind.
It is just a streak.
I said it, whew! I can feel that I angered many readers, Red Wings fans around the world, with those words. How can I possibly feel this way? How can you consider yourself a true fan without loving The Streak?
The answer is simple: because I want to see the Red Wings win Stanley Cups.
My quarrel is not with qualifying to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but rather what needs to be done to make the cup. What changes are we going to need to make to become a true contender for the granddaddy of all trophies?
Many people will not hesitate to shout out aspects the Red Wings need to improve on. I, however, will not partake in couch managing. The Red Wings have the best scouting division in the league, one of the best farm teams in the Grand Rapids Griffins to develop their players (they currently lead the league in developed players on their NHL roster), a solid coaching staff, a general manager who has proven to be a capable decision maker, and owners that care about the city and team more than anything else. I trust that the organization will do whatever is necessary to be the best. But for us as fans, we need to adjust our mentality.
We need to demand a Stanley Cup. No longer should we just manage with The Streak. Should we keep making the playoffs, fantastic! However, if we miss the playoffs one year in a “rebuilding” year to re-align and start competing for the Cup, would that not be worth it? Whatever the team needs to do to become a Stanley Cup contender should be done, even if it means we lose our current playoff streak.
I am forever a Red Wings fan, and I have loved The Streak. But I want the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup, and I want to see that more than a 26th playoff year.
