Red Wings Player Grades: Assessing The Forwards of the Future

Filip Zadina

2021 Statline:
Games: 49
Goals: 6
Points: 19
CF%: 41.9%

Preseason Projections

Top Six forward who can carry the offense more

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Zadina was snakebitten when it came to scoring goals. The goals will definitely come but he also needs more talent around him. Zadina had two less goals in half as many games this season, and his shooting percentage was down seven percent.

The positives? He is evolving into a full 200 foot player and he was one of the few who could carry the puck into the zone on power plays–instead of defaulting to dump and chase hockey. He was a boost when he came back from Covid Protocol. Though he’s not filling nets, some puck luck and talent around him will help those numbers grow. Thankfully, being on a line with Jakub Vrana might be the first step.

They said it

“He’s played really hard most of the season. He’s done it the right way. He tries to play from the defensive side of the puck. He tries to check for his chances, and he’s done a real good job of that. He’s just got to stay on it.” Jeff Blashill via Mlive.com

Final Grade: B

Zadina’s maturity has grown his game leaps and bounds–where many times his defensive responsibility led to scoring chances–which is natural for him. At times it appeared he was trying to do too much, be it passing when he should shoot or holding onto the puck too long, but that will come with experience. Zadina has shown he has the instincts to be successful in the league, and again, with more players like Vrana surrounding him, the uptick in scoring should happen.

Joe Veleno

2021 Statline: 
Goals: 1 (5 games)
CF%: 43.2%

Preseason Projections:

Take another step forward in the SHL. Possibly some time in Detroit.

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Veleno had a solid season in the SHL and put up double digit goals in a “men’s league,” proving that the scoring touch many wondered about might exist. Veleno impressed in his five games in Detroit, showing a strong two-way game and potting his first NHL goal.

They said it

“Ultimately, Joe would like to be a big piece of this organization; we’d like Joe to be a big piece of us becoming a great team, a winning team.” Jeff Blashill via Mlive.com

Final Grade: Incomplete

Veleno obviously was only up for a short sample but things look brighter as the player they hope they “stole” late in the 2018 draft has shown the speed and 200 foot game they crave. His numbers in the SHL only added to the confidence that Veleno could be that one-two punch down the middle for Detroit. The goal scoring is really the only question mark, but again, if more talent is added, Veleno’s overall game would benefit and so too, would his stats. He nearly scored his first goal off of a turnover he forced so the talent is there. Will it convert?

Givani Smith

2021 Statline:

Games: 16
Points: 4 (1-3)
CF%: 43.9%

Preseason Projections

Bottom 6 Forward in Detroit

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Smith was a curious case of trying to wrap the brain around Blashill’s moves. Smith endeared himself to Wings fans everywhere when he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick against Florida, but his opportunities were still few and far between. Smith spent five less games up in the NHL this season, and though he played well in the AHL, it was curious to only see him get time as injuries piled up at the end of the season.

They said it

“There’s a lot there to learn. There’s a lot of raw ability, and there’s a lot I like about him. I like him number one as a person. I like him as a big, big body. He can add a physical element. I like his hands for a guy that has the package. But he’s got a lot to learn.” Jeff Blashill via the Detroit News.

Final Grade: C

There’s a lot of talk that Smith could be one of the players lost if exposed to the Expansion Draft. The compliments that Blashill gave Smith seemed to insist that the young forward is in the future plans of the organization, unlike Evgeny Svechnikov. Smith has the upside to be an Adam Erne like player–including the goal scoring touch that Erne displayed this season. He could also share comparisons with the role Tyler Bertuzzi plays–though the better numbers favor Bertuzzi.

Smith could be a great role player for the Red Wings as they add talent. Fans will have to wait and see if he’s still a Red Wing following the Expansion Draft.