Detroit Red Wings: Defense Pairings & Prospects Pushing for a Spot

The Detroit Red Wings have four defenders whom will play night in and night out unless injuries occur of course. The Detroit Red Wings, as we know are thin on the back end, to begin with. Is help on the way or will it be the same six regulars as last season?

The Detroit Red Wings will expect Mike Green to play substantial minutes again this season. Niklas Kronwall who has been a warrior throughout his career will be needed for top 4 backend minutes again too. A leader and most say a calming voice in the locker room always making sure things are smooth making newer players feel welcome.

Nick Kronwall has broken down some physically these days, fought through a leg injury all of last year. Kronwall has lost a step but can still be relied upon to make the right play. If it’s making a safe, clean first pass out of his own end, picking his spots to pinch in the offensive zone or when to step up and engage physically.

Kronwall will benefit along with being most effective playing 17 or so minutes these days a night if Detroit can hold him around that ice time. Last season Kronwall averaged 18:31 a game. It was a sign of things to come with an aging defenseman. Kronwall’s career avg ice time was 21:52.

The “Kronwalled” bone-jarring hits are few and far between now but were they ever awesome to watch. The best days playing along Brad Stuart who could be nasty and physical in his own right are few and far between. That second pair over the boards for Detroit were Stuart & Kronwall after Brian Rafalski & the great Nicklas Lidstrom finished their shift was such a great top 4 for Detroit for many years.

Mike Green will anchor the point on Detroit’s number one power play. Green has worked on his defensive zone play over the last three years in Detroit and has improved in his own zone. At one time Mike Green was a prolific offensive player but lacked defensive ability in his own zone.

Green will be asked to play significant minutes for Detroit again this season. He averaged 22:05 min per game last year. That is about what Green has averaged his entire career. Green a good puck moving defenseman who can score 10-12 goals for Detroit. The Wings very much need more offensive production from the back end.

Danny DeKeyser who has owned up to his up and down play over the last two seasons is looking to bounce back and become a steady top 2 defender on this roster the Red Wings much need. I say on this roster because Detroit doesn’t currently have a workhorse on the back end that can play 28-30 minutes a night like the premium top defenders in the league do. Detroit needs to get it done by committee.

Danny DeKeyser is 28 years old. Danny has the potential still to plug 24 good minutes a night for Detroit. The excellent skating lanky defender will be needed tominimize the “downs” in his play and be consistent across the board. We think he could be a valuable piece if he plays relaxed and confident.