Power Play helps fingerprint Detroit Red Wings Roster Decisions

We do not need to relive the Detroit Red Wings woeful power play, that has plagued the team the past few seasons. With that in the past the team seems to have focused on helping that unit out in the roster choices after a spirited training camp and preseason.

The past two season the Detroit Red Wings have had issues with the power play. 17.5% last season left nowhere but up for this unit to go. Still, the upward swing would be difficult given the roster. Enter Dennis Cholowski (defense) and Michael Rasmussen (winger).  Both have showcased they are ready to help the power play.

Rasmussen, with his size 6′ 6″ will be counted on to shield the goalie from seeing the puck clearly. He also will be the man in front of the net waiting for a shot or tip-in. But it is his size that has a real opportunity to be a power play asset.

Meanwhile, Dennis Cholowski showed he can take the puck up ice and find the open guy as the power play quarterback. Cholowski also revealed he has a good shot from up top. Something the Wings power play has sorely missed the past couple of seasons.

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With a critical training camp. The Detroit hockey team found a couple of guys who showed they are ready to help the power play moving forward. Rasmussen doing dirty work and Cholowski’s poise with the puck will go along way.

The easy part for the two rookies was to show they could handle the responsibility. Now comes the difficult task of having to do it daily. The more they do it. The more opposing teams will have footage of them. That is where they will need to make adjustments.

It seems Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill and team management feel these are two of the players to start a new foundation with. Time will tell if they can be counted on night after night. But it is a starting point. One the Red Wings desperately needed.

Libor Sulak and Filip Hronek also showed well on the power play. They will get their shot soon enough. Right now all eyes will be on Rasmussen and his offensive prowess to go with the maturity and poise of the 20-year-old Cholowski.

This should not be understated. It is a big step in the rebuild trusting rookies to push your team forward. Red Wings fans can rest easy. Cholowski and Rasmussen are perfect building blocks to restore the fortunes of the power play. As well as help the defense and offense respectfully.