Playoff race vs. race for #1 pick.

[Richdg 267]

In an odd turn of events, RW fans can be interested in both. Not saying this is good or bad, but we do have a interest in both, for the first time in about 20 years. If we make the PO's our streak continues. but if we miss the PO's, by even 1 point, we have a chance (slim) at the #1 overall pick. TBH, I like it. You don't have to tank a season if you are a borderline team to have a chance. yes your chance improves greatly if you are really bad, but there is no reason to force your team to lose. The negative is, teams play harder untill the end. Which may hurt us.

[esteef 2,679]

Playoffs! Never give up the ship!

esteef

[e_prime 1,936]

PLAYOFFS!!

Chances for that pick are indeed slim.

The likelihood of each team gaining the right to the first pick is as follows:

Team 1 25.0%

Team 2 18.8%

Team 3 14.2%

Team 4 10.7%

Team 5 8.1%

Team 6 6.2%

Team 7 4.7%

Team 8 3.6%

Team 9 2.7%

Team 10 2.1%

Team 11 1.5%

Team 12 1.1%

Team 13 0.8%

Team 14 0.5%

Additionally, no club will move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Lottery.

The remaining first round drafting positions are determined by the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So, I'll take the playoffs and what could end up being a 15th or 16th pick at the very best, if we are bouned quickly.

Which Holland will probably trade for additional picks, if the piece that he really wants in the first round is already gone.

[kipwinger 8,520]

I obviously don't ever want the Red Wings to lose, and if I had a magic wish it would be for a Cup. But magic isn't real, and the reality is that our team probably isn't going to beat anyone in a seven game series (even if we do make the playoffs). So if my choices are win the cup vs. don't win it, then I obviously want to do that. If my choices are make the playoffs, keep the streak alive, and lose early vs. miss the playoffs, get the highest draft pick possible, and light a fire under a complacent management's ass...I'll take the latter.

But I'll say what I've said all along: It didn't ever have to come down to that.

[Guest DeGraa55]

This is where I'm torn. Yes a better pick would be nice. But I had to watch Michigan lose its bowl streak and I don't want to lose our playoff streak. Even if one and done.

And if may be better for us as a team to lose and get a good pick. BUT I WANT THE PLAYOFFS EVERY YEAR!!!!

[rick zombo 3,739]

I'll take an 7th or 8th place finish plz. Then I can laugh at all of the hateful pricks (Leaf's fans) that are dying for the streak to end.

AND that still gives Detroit a 16-19th overall pick, provided they lose in the first round.

BUT if they win a round or two, then that's awesome too.

Basically, it's all good.

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

I want to keep the streak alive. The record is 29 years and I believe we could reach that mark if we just survive and retool for another year or two and squeak in.

[Guest Gary.Bettman]

No worries, folks. The Detroit Red Wings will never get a top 10 pick, at least not while I'm around. So, make sure you hold off the Stars and keep the streak alive.

[Ally 448]

^oh boy.

Don't care about first pick because anyone could get it.

DO care about a playoff streak because not every team can have that.

[Superman54 91]

Penguins are gonna pull out a coupon for the first pick this year so I'm confused to read why its even being discussed.... It's a deep draft and the chances of wings getting a top 5 pick are even slim. So I don't see the emphasis as much to miss thy playoffs rather then keep the streak going, enjoy some post season, and bank on helmer being our messiah

Edited April 16, 2013 by Superman54

[Buppy 1,720]

I obviously don't ever want the Red Wings to lose, and if I had a magic wish it would be for a Cup. But magic isn't real, and the reality is that our team probably isn't going to beat anyone in a seven game series (even if we do make the playoffs). So if my choices are win the cup vs. don't win it, then I obviously want to do that. If my choices are make the playoffs, keep the streak alive, and lose early vs. miss the playoffs, get the highest draft pick possible, and light a fire under a complacent management's ass...I'll take the latter.

But I'll say what I've said all along: It didn't ever have to come down to that.

You're assuming both that management is complacent and that missing would light a fire.

The choice is basically "Likely 13th or 14th with a very small chance at 1st overall" or "Likely 15th or 16th with a very small chance at a Cup, with the added benefit or more games to watch and continuing one of the best streaks in all of sports".

Missing isn't worth what would most likely be no more than a couple spots.

Now, missing the playoffs or losing in the 2nd round (or even 3rd) is a little tougher. Losing in the Finals always sucks at the time, but gets better after while, so I think that'd be worth dropping 15 spots.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Playoffs are ALL that matter. Anything can happen.

To sacrifice our winning culture for a 1% chance at drafting a better player is well....ridiculous.

People underestimate the effect the playoffs can have on our young players. We currently have 9 players on our roster who have never played in an NHL playoff game.

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

Playoffs are ALL that matter. Anything can happen.

To sacrifice our winning culture for a 1% chance at drafting a better player is well....ridiculous.

People underestimate the effect the playoffs can have on our young players. We currently have 9 players on our roster who have never played in an NHL playoff game.

Also there are no guarantees in the playoffs. It doesn't matter how well you played in the regular season. If we get the 8th seed and play Chicago and manage to steal a game or two from them, the pressure they will begin to feel could be too much to overcome after really facing no adversity all season long.

[Guest irishock]

Let the streak rest in peace. The 2013 Red Wings have nothing to do with the 1991 team anyways

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Let the streak rest in peace. The 2013 Red Wings have nothing to do with the 1991 team anyways

What exactly does that have to do with anything? The streak was never about the '91 team or any one team or player.

[TheOwl 77]

I hate the draft system combined with the salary cap. In the salary cup era, poor management leads to not missing the play-offs. I swear teams purposelly tank to gain high first round picks. It's a great way to an easy Stanely Cup, see Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Failure should not be rewarded. The best solution would be that a single team cannot have the #1 overall pick in back to back drafts.

[Guest DeGraa55]

I hate the draft system combined with the salary cap. In the salary cup era, poor management leads to not missing the play-offs. I swear teams purposelly tank to gain high first round picks. It's a great way to an easy Stanely Cup, see Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Failure should not be rewarded. The best solution would be that a single team cannot have the #1 overall pick in back to back drafts.

Do you live under a rock? We got the lottery now to fix just that. You also got to remember number one puck doesn't guarantee a superstar just like the number 20 doesn't guarantee average.

Edited April 16, 2013 by DeGraa55

[Ally 448]

High picks don't guarantee superstars. I mean, I even heard about one team that drafted a magician with their 171st pick! I can't remember what team it was.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Absolutely playoffs. I don't think this team can win it all, but you never know by sitting at home.

Plus, I want to be at the Joe for playoff hockey. Nothing beats that.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Playoffs mean mo' money.

Mo' money = Mo' options...theoretically.

[CrimsonFlame 424]

Wings getting a number one pick is pointless. He'll just waste away in Grand Rapids until he's 26-28 like all the other rookies.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Wings getting a number one pick is pointless. He'll just waste away in Grand Rapids until he's 26-28 like all the other rookies.

You think if Detroit had drafted Tavares, Stamkos, Toews, Crosby, Ovechkin, N-Hopkins, Seguin, Hall, etc that they'd play for 6-8 years in GRs?

Or are you exagerating? Yeah.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

I'll trade that potential number one pick for the playoffs without hesitation.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

We also should be positioning ourselves to look attractive to potential free agents. If we're not a playoff team we look like a much less attractive destination.

[Ally 448]

We also should be positioning ourselves to look attractive to potential free agents. If we're not a playoff team we look like a much less attractive destination.

THIS.

with threads claiming that "the Detroit diamond has lost it's shine" and complaining about our lack of free agent signings, you'd think everyone would be on board with proving that we are a contender EVERY year...not just when we had Nick.