Losing games while getting young players to progress positively has been the 2018-19 anthem. That is starting to pay off more and more as the losses mount. All is not lost; the young core players are giving the Detroit Red Wings hope of a bright future.
It is not like you have not heard; the Detroit Red Wings fall behind in games then make a comeback only to lose a game. It seems like a never-ending broken record. But wait, a more in-depth look paints a different story.
To be clear this is not a wins/loss season; it’s a different story. This is a hold on which young core player stepped this time to bring the team back? This is actually an excellent thing, not the falling behind but the willingness to battle back. The Red Wings will begin seeing better results from this sort of play soon.
Dylan Larkin, who leads the team and has set a new personal record with 26 goals has taken the most significant step forward in my opinion. Before the season started Larkin said he wanted to be “the guy,” by all accounts he has become the guy. It is clear he is leading the charge through the rebuild.
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Andreas Athanasiou, who himself has played with much more consistency is enjoying his best season. Athanasiou is now using his speed and getting into the dirty areas. His passes have been much better as Andreas has really begun to round into form. He seems like he could give even more which is scary.
Next is perhaps the most gritty young players, Tyler Bertuzzi, who has seamlessly fit in on Detroit’s top line. 15 goals, yet Bert’s best days are ahead. He should become a 20 goal scorer at some point if not this season. But it is his grit and physical play that the Detroit Red Wings covet. His game has come a long way.
Anthony Mantha absolutely can give more. I say that as if 14 goals and 28 points in 46 games is terrible. A healthy Mantha on the ice is 30 goals waiting to happen. He can take games over, Mantha like Athanasiou has found more consistency to his game.
Four young players are giving hope to what is coming to Motown. There is no reason to think they will not continue to improve their play. Sure the defense needs attention and help; thankfully the young forwards do not.
Detroit is in good shape as we head into the home stretch of the season. Young players are playing well as cap money is going to be freed up shortly. Just a little while longer Red Wings fans and this team will have turned the corner.