Detroit Red Wings: Five players Steve Yzerman needs to move on from
By Bob Heyrman
The big fella had never lived up to his full potential with the Detroit Red Wings, and it’s time the team moves on from him.
I was cautious about using the term “full potential” rather than his full expectations. The Wings drafted Jonathan Ericsson in the 9th round, 291st overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Level Draft. The NHL draft doesn’t even go nine rounds anymore; the draft is completed after the conclusion of the seventh round.
So what were the expectations of a big defenseman drafted in the ninth round? The answer is none. Jonathan Ericsson has accomplished much more throughout his career than anyone could have ever expected but “time” comes for everyone and Ericsson proved last season his time with the Detroit Red Wings should be up. The 35-year-old 6’4 defender was reluctant to use his body as a weapon which knawed on fans nerves. At that size we expected big-E to hammer guys making them pay for going to the front of the net, but it failed to happen.
Ericsson has struggled to keep up with the pace of play for numerous years but was exposed often last season. He is a below average skater, to begin with, but seems to have lost a step with age. Imagine Zdeno Chara without the massive shot, willingness to be physical and the long reach, and you’ve Jonathan Ericsson.
Both Chara and Ericsson regularly have forwards excel past them making them look like they’ve got two left feet and in today’s NHL players have a lot of speed to burn and slow players are reluctant to get in their way because they will be called for interference. In no way am I comparing Chara and Ericsson at their prime, Chara is a Hall of Fame defender. I mean Chara today and Ericsson well, pretty much his entire career.
There won’t be any trade-market for Jonathan Ericsson, so there are only three options which are; to let him play out the final year of his deal next year on the roster but as the seventh defenseman. The team can place him on waivers where he would not be claimed and would have a choice to report to Grand Rapids or retire.
It would be in the Wings best interest not to include Ericsson as one of the teams’ top six, starting defensemen next season. With Mike Green, Trevor Daley both entering the final year of their deals both could become trade candidates as the season grows old. Danny DeKeyser played exceptionally well being paired with Filip Hronek down the stretch last season, and I expect they will remain together. Dennis Cholowski will have an opportunity to make the roster once again to start the season, and that leaves Madison Bowey, Niklas Kronwall, Libor Sulak, Joe Hicketts, Jared McIsaac and potentially a free agent signing to fill out the remainder of the roster.
There is simply no need for Ericsson on the Detroit Red Wings. Last season he averaged 17:13 TOI per game and was a minus -10 on the season. His CF% was absolutely atrocious at 44.1% as he achieved 3 goals and 2 assists over 52 games, he’s gotta go!