John Tavares to Red Wings: Not in a Million Years

For most people, when you think of the Detroit Red Wings, the first thing that comes to mind is winning. How could it not? 25 straight seasons with a playoff berth (1990-91 through 2015-16) and four Stanley Cups makes Detroit one of the most successful NHL franchises in recent history. However, those glory days have come to pass in the Motor City as the team is set to miss the postseason for the second straight year. It is officially time for the organization to go through a rebuild, something a generation of die-hard Wings fans has never had to experience.

When going through a rebuild, it is crucial for an organization to stay the course and remain patient. A team must understand that they are in for a fair share of dark days but any knee-jerk reaction to attempt a quick fix will most certainly put the franchise in a deeper hole.

Enter the hot topic of upcoming unrestricted free agent John Tavares. At first glance, it makes sense that every team would be foaming at the mouth to make the 27-year-old center a member of their roster. Not only would a team improve on the ice, but fans would also be lining up to purchase attire with the last name of their team’s new star player on the back. Unfortunately, only one team will be able to reel in the most prominent prize of the summer, and some places are much more of a fit for Tavares than others. Despite reports of Detroit being one of the more likely landing spots for the Ontario native, the actual chances of Tavares wearing a red and white sweater are slim to none.

First, look at things from an organizational standpoint. At this point, Detroit is nowhere near being a legitimate contender and should remain that way for some time. Management’s primary goal has to be ridding themselves of the numerous financially burdening contracts that plague this roster and replacing them with promising young prospects. At the same time, they must focus on obtaining as many picks in the next few drafts as humanly possible. Sights must be set on the future of the franchise, not next season. Bringing in a top-talent in his prime, no matter how attractive it may seem, does not fit into the blueprint the Red Wings need to follow. Sure fans would be initially thrilled. The team might even climb a bit in the standings next season. However, they would eventually find themselves in the same old rut with another monster contract on the books.

Now, look at things from an individual standpoint. What would entice Tavares to sign a contract with Detroit? Like every other player in the National Hockey League, he wants to hoist the Stanley Cup over his head, ideally more than once. It is hard to argue that the Red Wings will provide him with a realistic opportunity to do so in the not-so-distant future. A better argument can be made that he would be better off re-signing with the New York Islanders if his true aspirations are to become a champion. Now, are there other teams more likely to bring home a few cups that could be in the market for Tavares? There most certainly are, San Jose being one of them. Still one cannot ignore that it would make much more sense for him to remain an Islander before even considering joining the Red Wings.

The idea of landing the biggest free agent on the market will always be a sexy one, especially for a large hockey market such as Detroit. Just talking about it provides fans who have suffered this season with enjoyment. However, it must be understood that although John Tavares may be playing for a different organization, it will not be the Detroit Red Wings.