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Detroit Red Wings OctoPulse: Who is trending up and down?

By Nate Francis |
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With three games already under the Detroit Red Wings belt, Octopus Thrower introduces a report that looks at players who are playing well and players who might be struggling a bit.  Today we picked five Wings – 3 trending up, 1 trending neutral, and 1 trending down.

Dec 23, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Trending UP: Tomas Tatar

All Tatar did in his first appearance this preseason was notch a hat trick against the defending champs–er the Rockford Ice Hogs. But still. Impressive in its own right. The Red Wings are looking for goal scoring and consistency this season and it looks like an early indicator from Tatar, who had his second consecutive season of 20+ goals last season.

With a new coach, and Brad Richards in the middle, the combination looked natural. And why not? Richards only played along side Patrick Kane last season and fed him a beautiful pass to seal the Stanley Cup Final for the Blackhawks.

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Throughout the playoffs, it was the same story. Once again, Richards is flanked by joined by a dynamic young winger who is only getting better. Tatar in his first full season with Detroit, was held back by Mike Babcock. Once given latitude, Tatar was a scoring threat every time he was on the ice. Now with Blashill, Wings fans can be absolutely giddy as the sky is the limit in terms of what Tatar can achieve.

It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Tatar is a 30 goal scorer this season.

Next: Trending UP - Dylan Larkin

Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) receives congratulations from center Dylan Larkin (71) after scoring in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Trending UP: Dylan Larkin

Foreshadowing?

What else can this kid do? I am always cautious in terms of heaping praise on prospects because there’s enough pressure on their shoulders. But Larkin? Well, there’s a young prospect drafted by the Red Wings in 1983 that could draw comparisons. Leadership. Scoring. Maturity. And he boasts the two-way game that Steve Yzerman embraced later in his career–that eventually won him those 3 Stanley Cups.

Larkin has been outstanding in his two preseason games. He’s forcing Ken Holland’s hand early, and while we all felt that Larkin was the future of Red Wings hockey, he’s done everything to surpass those expectations. If not for a disallowed goal, Larkin would have had a hat trick. From Brendan Savage:

“They did a good job,” Blashill said. “I think Dylan has a maturity level way beyond his years. That’s one thing that struck me right away when he came to play for us last year in Grand Rapids. He has a real maturity level to him. “He’s got a real good quiet confidence. He doesn’t have that fake bravado confidence. He’s just a confident kid, but a down-to-earth kid. He doesn’t let things bother him and he’s very competitive. “That’s not to say there’s not errors. Yes, he does need to continue to grow … but sometimes that competitiveness gets the best of him. But he’s a real, real mature person.”

Your move Kenny.

Next: Trending UP: Teemu Pulkkinen

Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) receives congratulations from left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) after scoring in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Trending UP: Teemu Pulkkinen

Yeah, it’s nice to finally see Pulkky get his much deserved love in Detroit. Much like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar before him, Pulkkinen was the prospect who had to bow at the altar of Mike Babcock to earn ice time and to be included in Babs’ circle of trust.

Good luck Toronto. Enjoy that when your prospects are NHL ready. It’s maddening.

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Pulkkinen has played like a man possessed this preseason. Four points last night–two of them goals. Against Chicago, he had a goal. What more do you want from this kid?

Since we already talked about the goal scoring prowess of Tomas Tatar, it’s fair to mention Pulkkinen in the same breath. Pulkkinen will benefit from a full season of Blashill, and enjoy a latitude that will allow him to be unleashed in the regular season.

Pulkky will score more than 20 goals–book it now. He’s going to make an already dangerous power play lethal. And he’s going to make Red Wings fans wonder a bit more if his help in last year’s playoff would have equated a deeper run.

Forget the past. The present and future belong to Pulkkinen.

Next: Trending Even - Jimmy Howard

Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Maxim Lapierre (40) scores a goal on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) in a sudden-death overtime period using the new

Trending EVEN – Jimmy Howard

Am I cruel because the photo includes Howie getting scored on? I initially had Howard trending downward but with a stronger showing last night, Howard turned that arrow up a notch. Not to the above trending arrow that we all hope for, but it’s at least turning north instead of south.

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Howard was stellar Thursday night, stopping 34 of 35 shots in the 6-1 shellacking of Pittsburgh. Though he did give up the 3 on 3 OT goal (which I worry with so many odd man breaks it’s just an exercise in frustration for all goalies), Howard had little chance and it was another debatable no-call that led to the opportunity.

More reassuring was Howard’s presence in net. He looked confident, and even when in trouble, coolly handled every shot with the exception of one. This was a far cry from the Howard we saw on Tuesday night–looking tentative at times, and weak with the 5-hole. (Who can forget the third one?)

If this was a first step to the redemption of Jim Howard, it was a strong one. Hopefully this becomes the rule rather than the exception.

Next: Trending Down - Dan Cleary

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Trending DOWN – Dan Cleary

This actually not an indictment on Cleary at all. Everyone’s favorite Wing to loathe has actually done nothing wrong. It’s just the fact that he should have no chance of making this team with the emergence of several key young players.

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As everyone knows, Cleary was re-signed to complete the handshake agreement at Babcock’s insistence. While there was still a glimmer of hope for Cleary in 2013-2014, it’s virtually gone now. Pulkkinen is a lock. Tomas Nosek should get his chance now. Dylan Larkin is absolutely making his case. Andreas Athanasiou and Landon Ferraro are showing they belong. Mitch Callahan also garners a look before Cleary.

Again, this isn’t a “bag on Cleary” editorial. I’ve always liked the guy both as a human being and a player. But this is an analysis that Cleary is simply out of time and space on the roster.

There is absolutely no conceivable argument or notion as to why he should be on the team this year. Not even as a healthy scratch. As the kids show their worth with every preseason game, his only opportunity to take a spot would be in a moment of serious injury. Yet I would rather a hungry prospect earn that shot–as would every other fan.

The arrow for Cleary is firmly down–not on him personally–but on his prospects of playing full time in Detroit.

Next: A closer look at Detroit's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh

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