Detroit Red Wings Player Grades: The Final Four Report Cards

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The final bunch of Detroit Red Wings players grades ends with two forwards, a defenseman, and a goalie. Here’s how they grade out:

Frans Nielsen

2021 Statline
GP: 29
G: 1
P: 6
CF%: 44.7

Preseason Projections:

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2021 Season in a Nutshell

Statiscally, Nielsen was projecting better than his paltry 9 point (3-6) season last year. But the writing may be on the wall for the veteran forward. It’s no secret that the $5.25 million AAV deal on the books has never seen its value met. The last two seasons have been a sobering example of that and it’s led to speculation that a buyout might be on the horizon. Nielsen was waived and a healthy scratch numerous times, giving weight to the thought that it may be his final season with the team.

Considered a veteran presence on the team, having a letter on the sweater doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll stick–as seen with Justin Abdelkader.

They Said it:

“Frans has done a great job of controlling what he can control, and that’s his effort, his attitude and his play on a daily basis.” Jeff Blashill via the Detroit News

Final Grade: D

I’m not going to bag on Nielsen–he’s given everything that he can for the organization and been a good soldier during what has been an awful stretch for the organization. Nielsen signed probably thinking this team would be in the playoffs at least once–it never happened.

But the output never matched the contract, this year or through the duration. While Detroit won’t need the cap space via a buyout, it would provide a roster spot for a player who could contribute more on the scoresheet.

Troy Stecher

2021 Statline:
Games: 44
Goals: 3
Points: 11
CF%: 45.4

Preseason Projections

Solidify a defensive corps that needed immediate help.

2021 Season in a Nutshell

And that he did. Stecher was a revelation for the Red Wings–a stable defenseman who would also jump up into the play and often keep offensive plays alive. It’s been bewildering, then, when he’s talked about not being protected in the Expansion Draft, and also being a healthy scratch during the season. For further backup, his performance in the World Championships should be icing on the cake that Yzerman found tremendous value signing Stecher to the contract he did. With another year left, knowing that Filip Hronek, Stecher, and presumably Moritz Seider being on three pairings makes Wings fans sleep better at night.

Final Grade: A-

Yes. It’s deserving. Stecher not only was an upgrade on the blue line, his pairing with Marc Staal rejuvinated the veteran who was “dumped” to Detroit with a second round pick. It was hardly the case as Stecher and Staal provided to be one of the more steady parts of a team that struggled to find consistency. He was easily Yzerman’s best signing in the offseason and if the blue line is bolstered again this summer, they could quietly be a nice surprise when the puck drops for the 2021-22 season.

Vladislav Namestnikov

2021 Statline:

Games: 53
Goals: 8
Points: 17
CF%: 44.5%

Preseason Projections

Provide secondary scoring and offense

2021 Season in a Nutshell

The nephew of Slava Kozlov returned to Detroit and had a decent season. Expected to help carry the offense that desperately needed help, Namestnikov was snakebitten at times but still finding a way to provide offense where he could. He was the example of a player who was shuffled around as the Red Wings worked through Covid Protocol and injury. He was useful, but it never felt like he settled in with the Red Wings. Either he’s taken in the expansion draft or he’ll get some better chances in what should be an even more improved roster next season.

Final Grade: C+

When they announced the signing, I thought Namestnikov would factor in more, helping an abysmal offense and power play find some more success this season. He certainly was one of the factors for improvement this season, but not quite at the levels we all expected. At times he would be one of many Red Wings who “blended in” to play and I think some of this was his usage on different lines due to the aforementioned injury woes of the team. If the Red Wings do expose him and he isn’t taken, I expect to see an uptick next season when there is certainly more offensive talented players filling the lines.

Calvin Pickard

2021 Statline:
Games: 6
Games Started: 4
Wins: 2
Save Percentage: .874

Preseason Projections

Mentor in Grand Rapids; Depth in Detroit when needed

2021 Season in a Nutshell

When Pickard stood tall during a March series that saw Detroit sweep Columbus, it was a good moment for the netminder. The expectations were for him to be a mentor of sorts for the younger goaltenders in Grand Rapids, with Thomas Greiss and Jonathan Bernier taking care of the job in Detroit.

When injury occurred, Pickard was there. Sure, the results weren’t always top notch, but Pickard was solid between the pipes when the team needed him to be. Of the four games he started, his only dud was against Florida which saw him yanked after 12 minutes on the ice. But in his other starts, Pickard was solid, allowing Detroit to be competitive.

They said it

“I thought Picks played well. Our guys really like him. He’s one of the better guys I’ve been around in my career. He cares a bunch, great personality. He’s really worked hard in keeping his game sharp. He’s grabbed our goalie coach (Jeff Salajko) a number of times and got in a lot of extra work. Guys have a lot of respect for him. Certainly, it’s a lift for our team.”

Jeff Blashill via MLive

Final Grade: C+

So it’s totally subjective but if you read what Blashill said in his postgame quote, it makes you recognize that sometimes there’s more to than just the performance on the ice. Pickard, from all intents and purposes, seems to be a real positive presence in the locker room, someone who a team can feed off of. In the games he started, he backstopped a series sweep against Columbus and then came within a whisker of winning a third (eventually falling in overtime).

Pickard is a useful depth goalie and his grade reflects as such.

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