I'd argue the exact opposite. Holland's "apologists" are more geared to looking at the past as predicting the future. As in, "he's overseen the best organization in the NHL in his time as GM and trust the process and moves he's made going forward."
On the other hand, the "critics" of Holland are more future oriented. As in, "sure, he's been great in the past, but just wait until the future when we won't make the playoffs and contend anymore based off the current way he's doing things."
This isn't the first time the prevailing opinion has been they'd finish 7th to 10th and the Wings future demise has been predicted by others for well over a decade now based off the age of the roster and other variables.
Roy -- I'm interested in today and tomorrow.
Working in youngsters as they're ready.
This is the salary cap era. We don't sign Robitaille and Hull or trade for Chelios and Hasek anymore.
If you want to sit your hot shot rookie for an all-star -- great.
But for Sammy? For Bertuzzi? That's plain stupid, in my opinion.
An important part of managing a roster in the cap era is having CHEAP youngsters learning on the job. Not 5 at a time... but 2-3 every year.
We've not done a good job of that since Abdelkader came up.
Having youngsters allows you to spend a bit more money on a UFA or take some extra salary in a trade.
Another important aspect of youth is enthusiasm --- refreshing the roster.
Now, Holland, in a nearly pathological way, instead goes the other way, keeping new guys in the AHL to bring back old guys like Quincey, Sammy, Bertuzzi etc