It still amazes me that when you speak the truth you're labeled as some sort of cretin who doesn't understand what's really happening. Such was the case with my last post, when I had the audacity to claim this unprecedented era of Detroit Red Wing hockey was about to end.

And whether you can handle the truth or not, it’s a fact - an era is about to end. Regardless of how the playoffs turn out, your red and white clad hockey heroes are about to turn the page. That doesn't mean Detroit is going to freefall to the bottom of the NHL standings.

Ken Holland told me several years ago that his job is to win today with one eye on tomorrow. The Wings’ GM was well aware he was part of a brain trust that had assembled a hockey club that would define the ‘modern era’. Holland also recognized some day it would end. However, unlike a panic-driven fan base, Holland’s ‘end of an era’ doesn’t translate into “we’re going to stink.”

“We’re not going to be as dominate as we have been,” Holland acknowledges. “Especially with the salary cap. It’s a whole different approach on how to build your team and remain competitive. I just don’t want us to sink too far down in the standings.”

With some carry over from the last era (Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom, and perhaps Nick Lidstrom), the next era of Red Wing hockey will have a solid foundation. If younger players (Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith, and Gustav Nyquist) continue to develop, the Wings will remain a force in the NHL. They simply won't be what we have witnessed for the last two decades - the NHL’s best overall team by a country mile. Those days are over.

Calm down Red Wing fans. Your team is changing, but their philosophy remains the same. They will draft skill and intelligence, and fill out their roster with veteran players who can easily adapt to their puck possession style of play. Their organization is best the in professional sports, it’s not even debatable. We all have confidence in their abilities.

Look at it this way: it’s Thanksgiving, you take a look around the dinner table and you become reflective because you see over the years your family has changed. Some members are gone forever and new additions are beginning to grow into a prominent role – contributing to the family legacy. It may take some time, and mistakes will be made, but through good times and bad it’s your family.

Life never stands still; it’s in constant motion and the Red Wings are about to go through a life-changing moment. Accept it, embrace it and never forget what they’ve accomplished in previous generations