Nick Jensen was a guy I thought should be the odd man out to start the season. I wanted the Detroit Red Wings to start Filip Hronek and Libor Sulak over Jensen even if the Wings were completely healthy.
They started the season severely banged up on the back end and the aforementioned youngsters got an opportunity to start along with Jensen. Jensen has thrived this season as a shot-blocking defender. He leads the Wings with 52 even-strength blocked shots on the season. Aka either goaltender’s best friend.
His contract is extremely team friendly. His cap hit is merely 813k. He is in the final year of his contract. I think he may be a guy Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings would like to re-sign with how well the 28-year-old has played.
During the offseason, Jensen hired a shooting coach. Someone to help him with his shot path. He was unable to record a single goal last season and claims he saw the writing on the wall with these younger players set to make a push for a roster spot.
It seems to of helped because he has notched a pair of goals and has 10 points through the first 37 games. Jensen is an above average skater, yet rarely puts himself in a position to get caught. He is a good skating penalty killing, shot blocking, stay at home defenseman.
Nick has a three-game point streak going; he has three assists over the final three games leading up to the holiday break. He’s been a very nice surprise for the Detroit Red Wings this season.