Detroit Red Wings: Heartache in Hockeytown, Time to Rebuild?

As every Hockeytown fan looks on in disbelief, the Red Wings continue to spiral into the abyss called "First Round Exit." An awful March has become something of a tradition in Detroit, but there are too many issues to ignore this time around. While Detroit's rich tradition leads us to believe that there is always next year, maybe next year needs to look a little different in the Motor City.

While it is inconceivable to all Red Wings faithful to even consider a thorough retooling, there are clearly too many old tires on the Winged wheel that need to be put out to pasture. Ken Holland is considered to be one of the sharpest general managers in the NHL, but is he smart enough to realize that the current formula isn't working?

There is no question that Detroit drafts and grows talent as well as any team in the league, but a key component to the successful teams in the late '90s and early 2000s was free agency. The introduction of a salary cap has certainly put a limit on teams' ability to "buy" a championship, but the savvy front office in Detroit has created the potential with cap room to load the roster with fresh talent.

Names like Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Cleary and Hudler have all worn the sweater proudly and lifted the Stanley Cup as Wings. Gentleman, thank you for your service. It's time to look ahead.

Lidstrom, possibly the greatest defenseman of all time, needs to retire. Blasphemy you say? With Lidstrom's salary and available cap space, Holland is better served pursuing one of the younger star defensemen available in this summer's free-agent pool.

C'mon Hockeytown faithful, even Stevie Y retired.

If Holmstrom doesn't retire, let someone else have him. He's been more than a loyal soldier, but he isn't nearly as effective as he used to be. Cleary has a knee that will require surgery this offseason, and is on the downside of a career that has been average at best. Hudler, well, outside of his immediate family, does anyone really want him around?

Honestly, we are all armchair GMs with grand plans for our favorite teams. As fans, it is our God-given right to second guess the decisions made by the franchise that we shower with our adulation and hard-earned cash. As consumers we are entitled to the best possible product, and in fairness, the Wings front office has typically put a superior product on the Joe Louis ice.

With the creative long-term contracts that Holland has put together, Detroit finds itself a buyer in a rich free-agent market this summer.

I have taken off my red-tinted glasses and see a solid, but old roster that needs a serious makeover. I hope the smart guys upstairs do too. With this talented lineup currently swirling down the Western Conference playoff standings, the Stanley Cup is fading from reality. 

The promise that "the streak" and the first half of the season seem like a distant memory now. A tough road loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers is still a loss. There were missed opportunities at both ends, and solid play from Ty Conklin in net as the third stringer. Detroit will get healthier before the playoffs, but at this point, they may have damaged their season beyond repair.