Detroit Red Wings: Grading The Top Six Forwards

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

After completing the first dozen regular-season games of the NHL 2015-2016 season, Octopus Thrower examines and grades the top six forwards from the Detroit Red Wings top two lines. Let’s start the list with our bearded and fearless leader:

Henrik Zetterberg

After 12 games played this season, Henrik Zetterberg currently leads the Detroit Red Wings in assists (11) and points (14). Zetterberg’s 11 assists so far this season places him tied for third among all NHL skaters and his 14 points ranks him in the top seven.

With the absence of Pavel Datysuk, Henrik Zetterberg has proven to be the veteran voice and leader of this young Detroit Red Wings team. Hank has earned every stitch that holds his captain patch to his sweater so far this season. Along with his line-mates, Justin Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin, Henrik has helped to carry the Red Wings through a trying first month of NHL action during the month of October.

It’s going to be extremely exciting to see what develops when Pavel Datysuk is healthy and returns to action in a few short weeks. Datsyuk will undoubtedly be reunited on Detroit’s top-line with Zetterberg and Larkin/Abdelkader. As the Red Wings continue to push towards a 25th consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, Zetterberg’s invaluable leadership will continue to be a key factor in the Detroit Red Wings success.

Overall Grade: A+

Next: Justin Abdelkader

Oct 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader (8) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Abdelkader

Justin Abdelkader came out of the gate red-hot at the start of the 2015-2016 NHL Season. Abdelakder, who had a career-best 23 goals and 21 assists during the 2014-2015 campaign, scored four goals in the Red Wings first two games of this season. Three of Abbey’s four goals came during the Red Wings’ opening game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 9th, giving Justin his second career NHL hat-trick

After his red-hot start to the season Abdelkader quickly cooled off during the remainder of the month of October. In fact, Justin didn’t tally a single point for the rest of the month despite skating on Detroit’s most productive line alongside Zetterberg and Larkin. He did start the month of November off by registering an assist in Detroit’s 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 3rd.

Abbey continues to play his grinding and agitating style of hockey that fans of the Red Wings have come to appreciate. I fully expect Abdelkader to regain and develop his scoring touch as he develops into a young veteran leader of this Red Wings squad.

Overall Grade: B+

Next: Dylan Larkin

Oct 16, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Gustav Nyquist (14) skates with the puck around the goal of Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) chased by left wing Nathan Gerbe (14) in the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Gustav Nyquist

Last season Gustav Nyquist finished second in goals on the Red Wings behind Tomas Tatar with 27 goals scored. This season Nyquist leads all Red Wings players with five goals scored through 12 games. Nyquist’s biggest goal of the year so far came when he scored the game-winning overtime-goal against the Vancouver Canucks on October 24th.

It took Nyquist a little bit of time to warm up and find his scoring touch during the month of October. The “Goose” bounced around between the second and first lines a few times early on in the month in hopes of finding some chemistry with one of his teammates. As it was in the last few seasons, Nyquist always seems to play really well alongside Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar whenever they are assembled together.

As the entire Red Wings team continues to jell and find their rhythm, I fully expect Gustav Nyquist to find and continue his scoring-ways. There’s no reason that Nyquist shouldn’t be able to produce anywhere from 20 to 30 goals in a full and healthy NHL season.

Like several of Detroit’s other young forwards, Nyquist still has to learn to shoot the puck at times instead of trying to make that one extra fancy pass/play. Of course one of the last times when Gustav held onto the puck trying to make a fancy play he scored and ended up winning the TSN goal of the year award.

Overall Grade: A

Next: Tomas Tatar

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

Tomas Tatar

Tomas Tatar led all Detroit Red Wings players in goals last season with 29. The 29 goals would also be a personal-best for Tomas. Tatar also finished the season with 27 assists. Tatar’s personal-best season was a huge part of the Red Wings making the playoffs for a 24th consecutive year in 2015.

The 2015-2016 season found Tomas Tatar starting a little bit slow, at least in regards to goal scoring. Tatar didn’t score his first goal of the year until nearly the last week of October but ever since then he has been warming to the task. All three of Tatar’s current goals came in the last week of October, a time when the Red Wings definitely needed a spark.

And Tomas Tatar is a spark-plug. His goals and celebrations always seem to come at a time when the Red Wings need a lift in their spirits. Tatar isn’t one to hold back his emotions and that’s something most fans of the Red Wings love about him. Once Tatar get’s warmed up and starts scoring and contributing on a regular basis, I wouldn’t be surprised for him to approach the 30 goal mark once again this year.

Overall Grade: B+

Next: Riley Sheahan

Apr 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Joe Louis Arena. Carolina won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Sheahan

So far through the first dozen games this season Riley Sheahan has accumulated two goals and two assists for the Detroit Red Wings. Out of all the top-six forwards Sheahan has most likely seen the most line-juggling of the six. This is through no fault of Sheahan’s, but rather the result of the Red Wings trying to generate offense during recent productivity droughts.

Riley currently has the lowest amount of shot attempts out of all the top-six forwards on Detroit’s roster with 19 shots attempted through 12 games. Compare that to Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist each attempting 33 shots so far this season. Sheahan also has the worst plus/minus rating out of all the top-six players with a -5 rating.

I don’t blame or attribute any of the aforementioned numbers to the skill level that Riley Sheahan possesses. I think Sheahan is a good player, but like Mike Babcock said earlier this year, Riley’s still finding his game and confidence.

Next: Does McDavid's Injury Help Larkin's Calder Chances?

Sheahan is the type of hockey player that does a lot of little good things that tend to fly under the radar. He also has a great shot that he needs to utilize more in his game. I think people forget that the young Sheahan can be a sniper until he snaps a puck from outside the slot. As the season grows, I expect Riley to continue to develop and grow as an NHL player.

Overall Grade: C+