Detroit Red Wings Round Table: Teams Biggest Challenges

Mar 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) tries to clear Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) out of the crease as Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) looks on during the first period of the Boston Bruins 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Getting pushed around by the other team

This has been something I have watched the Red Wings struggle with for the past few seasons, getting pushed around by bigger and tougher teams. It is really difficult to watch at times. When teams like the Boston Bruins, L.A. Kings, and Vancouver Canucks come to town, they really look like they just push the Wings around and it is frustrating from time to time. So how do the team fix this problem?

Well, it is kind of “in the locker room” thing. The players have to fix it themselves. Yeah you can go sign a 4th line goon who may pick up a goal here and there, but that seems like the easy way out of it all. The team needs almost a milder 2010’s version of Bob Probert. I think they have one down in the minors in Tyler Bertuzzi. Watching Bertuzzi play, you can see he plays with a little more “umph” he is willing to knock guys into the boards and will drop the gloves right after. Yet he also can score and that is a major plus.

Another player that could come up sooner than Bertuzzi would be Mitch Callahan. Fans at times are mixed about him. Some really like him, while others don’t see the hype that is behind him. That in itself is going to have to be worked out by watching him play more and seeing what he can do if he is given the minutes on the big squad. Yet again he is a guy who will throw his weight around and is willing to drop the gloves with anyone. He wouldn’t be a bad protector for the guys that may one day be our players that need protecting.

Next: Figuring the thing that is the defense