The Red Wings talk a lot about culture. About how important it is that the winning culture from the championship years continues into the rebuilding era. About how it could all be lost if the shift to youth is too extreme.



So if that culture is going to be protected, it should also be something management takes full advantage of while working in younger players.



And not just its own young drafted players.



Occasionally in unrestricted free agency, there are examples of young, highly-skilled players who have failed to live up to previous expectations in previous cities. Some turn out to be flops, but some respond positively to a change in scenery and end up looking like a steal. In trying to balance winning and rebuilding, hitting on one of the latter in free agency would be an added bonus for Red Wings GM Ken Holland.



“If you’re going to choose between questionable guys,” said one NHL source on Wednesday, “choose young and...